Snowy Conditions Fail to Chill Out Top Players at Jonesboro Open

The unseasonable winter weather that swept through Arkansas overnight turned Saturday's play at the Jonesboro Open into a test of endurance for the world's top disc golfers. The mercury plummeted to 28 degrees, matching the record low set in 1994, and the snow-covered tee pads made even the simplest shots look like slapshots.

Defending champions Paige Pierce and Ricky Wysocki proved their mettle in the challenging conditions, however. Pierce maintained a six-shot lead over Catrina Allen in the Open Women's division with her second-round score of 4-over par 70. The total of 8-under par 124 has her firmly in control heading into Sunday's final round.

Wysocki bundled up to record a 1072-rated 10-under par 54, catapulting him into first place in the Open division. His overall score of 22-under par 106 puts him ahead of Garrett Gurthie and James Conrad, who are tied for second with scores of 20-under par 108.

The conditions were so extreme that players from both divisions had to adjust their game plans accordingly. Pierce's early birdie on the second hole was a rare highlight in an otherwise tough round, while Allen struggled initially before settling into her rhythm with a crucial birdie putt on the ninth hole.

Hokom, who trailed by 10 strokes, attributed her struggles to the uncooperative weather and expressed gratitude for the tournament staff's efforts to keep players warm. "I've never seen anything like it," she said of the hand warmers and fresh towels provided by the organizers.

In contrast, Wysocki, who has been battling a circulatory disorder that affects his hands in cold weather, was determined not to let the conditions hold him back. He wore multiple layers, including thermals and shorts under his pants, along with jackets, compression sleeves, and a beanie, and credited his mother for helping him manage the condition.

Despite the challenging conditions, Wysocki's opening 50-foot birdie putt set the tone for an impressive round, which included another clutch shot from 50 feet on hole 17. He now finds himself in position to win his first event of the year and put an end to a slump that has plagued him since January.

The Open Women's division will tee off at 9:00 a.m. CT on Sunday, while the Open division will face off at 3:15 p.m. The players will be hoping for more favorable weather conditions as they battle it out for the top prizes.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/wysocki-allen-shoot-hot-record-jonesboro-cold