Ryan Takes Commanding Lead at 2018 US Masters Championships

The first day of the 2018 Tim Selinske US Masters Championships got off to a serene start despite gusty winds, as the four courses at Lemon Lake Flight Center were packed with top-notch disc golfers. The Pro Masters 40+ and Women's divisions battled it out on their respective shared courses, Gold and Silver.

The challenging layouts of the two courses, measuring in at 8500 feet for Gold and 6500 feet for Silver, made accuracy crucial as players navigated through dense woods. Losing a disc to the rough often spelled disaster, making par saves extremely difficult.

Santa Cruz's Robert Ryan has been on fire so far this tour season, notching two A-Tier wins in the Pro Masters 40+ division. His impressive performance at the Memorial Championship in Scottsdale, Arizona, against a field of 38 top-ranked Masters players, solidified his position as one of the best.

Ryan's opening round at Lemon Lake did nothing to dispel this notion. A flawless 54 (-10) not only secured his spot on the lead card but also gave him a significant advantage over two world champions: Barry Schultz and JohnE McCray. The talented field is stacked, with several players within striking distance of Ryan.

Meanwhile, on the Silver course, Georgia's Courtney McCoy was making waves, recording four birdies in a five-hole stretch midway through her round. Her remarkable score of 58 (-2) left her as the only woman under par, with Lesli Todd and Cory Hill trailing behind at 62 and 64 respectively.

As the tournament heats up, Saturday will prove to be a true test of endurance for all competitors. With two shotgun-start rounds scheduled for each division on the Blue and White courses, followed by a final showdown back at Gold/Silver on Sunday morning, it's anyone's game.

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This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/ryan-mccoy-grab-early-leads-us-masters