Scoggins Soars to Top Spot at 2023 DGPT - Discraft Great Lakes Open

The first day of the 2023 DGPT - Discraft Great Lakes Open brought tough weather conditions and a brand-new layout to the Toboggan course. The entire field faced difficulties in navigating the challenging terrain, but one player emerged as the top contender: Ohn Scoggins. She dominated the FPO division with a seven-stroke lead after Round 1, finishing at seven strokes under par.

Despite the swirling winds and tight OB lines, Scoggins played smartly to take control of the leaderboard. Her ability to choose landing zones and execute her gameplan allowed her to score without relying on massive distance off the tee. The course redesign, with its tighter OB lines, proved to be an advantage for Scoggins as she picked apart each hole.

Scoggins' strategy was clear: "Just throw the disc and try to keep it in bounds. If it's not, it's okay, it's a tough course." Her consistency and putting skills paid off, with all of her putts inside the circle contributing to her impressive score. This is Scoggins' first outright lead at an Elite Series event, and she looks set to capitalize on the momentum.

The MPO field, on the other hand, was plagued by multiple weather delays and late tee times. The entire division averaged over par for the day, with all but two players finishing in ties. Eagle McMahon and Kevin Jones shared the hot round at eight-under, while defending champion Calvin Heimburg is tied for third place.

Kevin Jones, a seasoned player with four top-ten finishes this season, played clean in Round 1, avoiding a bogey and going out of bounds only once. His putting performance was flawless, contributing to his impressive score. "I was happy to shoot bogey-free," he said after the round. A win for Jones would give him his first Elite Series victory since the 2020 Green Mountain Championship.

Eagle McMahon, meanwhile, showed exceptional control on the tee, balancing power with accuracy to lead the field in strokes gained tee-to-green. His comeback was marked by a crucial birdie on hole 5, jumpstarting his round after a slow start. "I really like throwing up and down hills," he said of his favorite aspect of disc golf.

As the competition continues into Round 2, the weather is expected to clear up, allowing players to focus on their skills rather than battling against the elements. With Scoggins firmly in control at the top of the leaderboard and a tightly packed MPO field, the action promises to be intense as the tournament unfolds.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/running-hill