Scoggins Soars to Victory at DGPT's Great Lakes Open

The 2023 DGPT - Discraft Great Lakes Open witnessed two heart-stopping conclusions as Ohn Scoggins battled to maintain her lead, and Simon Lizotte clashed with Eagle McMahon for supremacy on the Toboggan course.

Scoggins, who had been shooting consistently scorching rounds over the past three days, entered the final round of the 2023 Discraft Great Lakes Open with a commanding six-stroke advantage. As she approached the final stretch, Scoggins acknowledged that her lead could be whittled down at any moment. "Six strokes is a sizeable gap, but anything can happen," Scoggins said, exuding confidence in her ability to match any birdies from her competitors.

Meanwhile, Ella Hansen was making a gallant charge with four consecutive birdies on holes 12 through 15. Scoggins countered by sinking an uphill circle 2 putt on hole 15 for a crucial birdie. The next two holes saw both players matching scores, leaving Scoggins with a seemingly insurmountable lead as she approached the final hole.

However, Scoggins' approach shot sailed out of bounds, forcing her to choose between laying up for a bogey or taking on the riskier option. Although Hansen's eight-under hot round brought Scoggins within two strokes, the eventual winner's composure remained unshaken. With one last putt for victory, Scoggins tapped in confidently and secured her first Elite Series win.

Scoggins' meticulous play throughout the weekend was a testament to her skill and strategy on the course. Her accurate approach shots and fearless putting earned her 92% of circle 1 putts made and a staggering 10.96 strokes gained putting overall. Scoggins also demonstrated remarkable discipline, avoiding double bogeys altogether while recording the fewest out-of-bounds strokes.

Scoggins' victory at the 2023 DGLO marks her as the eighth different player to claim an Elite Series event or Major in the FPO field this year, shattering a record for the most unique winners in any season. The win propels Scoggins into the World Championships with renewed momentum and confidence.

"I feel like I have a chance," Scoggins said when discussing her prospects at the 2023 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships in Jeffersonville, Vermont. "I want to take at least maybe top 5."

On the other side of the competition, Simon Lizotte and Eagle McMahon engaged in an intense battle for supremacy in the MPO field. A tie-breaking birdie putt from circle 2 on hole 1 set the tone for Lizotte's red-hot performance, allowing him to cruise through the final round with four consecutive birdies.

Lizotte cleverly seized control of the leaderboard by intentionally throwing his drive out of bounds long on hole 16, forcing McMahon into a drop zone. This daring play paid off as Lizotte secured a short par putt while McMahon's subsequent shot fell short.

The victory was a testament to Lizotte's strategic thinking and creative problem-solving skills, often leaving commentators in awe. "I never thought of that gameplan before I stepped up to that hole," Lizotte said reflectively. However, he acknowledged the momentary clarity of purpose that allowed him to execute his unorthodox plan successfully.

As both players prepared for the 2023 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships in Jeffersonville, Vermont, they demonstrated their unwavering confidence in their abilities. Lizotte, with six Elite Series wins under his belt dating back to the 2022 OTB Open, is on track to make history once again.

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Photos by Kevin Huver / DGPT

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