Stormy Start for Disc Golf World Championships

The opening round of the 2019 PDGA Pro Masters Disc Golf World Championships was a battle against the elements, as players at Smugglers' Notch Disc Golf Center in Vermont faced gusting winds and relentless rain. The conditions were so harsh that several scorecards had to be turned in ripped in half due to being soaked through.

David Greenwell, a seasoned competitor with over 390 PDGA events under his belt, including every single world championship since its inception in 1982, was among those who braved the weather. Despite the challenging conditions, he dominated the Pro Masters 60+ division, finishing eight or more strokes ahead of the field and putting himself in contention for a 10th world title.

The two courses at Smugglers' Notch, Fox Run Meadows and Brewster Ridge, presented different challenges due to their varying layouts. The open-air holes on Fox Run Meadows were particularly exposed to the wind, making it harder for players with early morning or afternoon tee times. In contrast, the heavily wooded holes of Brewster Ridge offered some protection from the elements.

While the weather caused disruptions throughout the course, no player withdrew due to the conditions. However, 2016 world champion JohnE McCray came close to dropping out after battling a severe stomach bug all morning. Instead, he fought through his illness and finished in a four-way tie for sixth place, just three strokes off the lead.

Defending champion David Feldberg maintained his position at the top of the leaderboard, shooting a 2-under par round without a single bogey. His scorecard was so soaked that it had to be protected in a ziplock bag.

In the Pro Masters Women 40+ division, Natalie Holloköi from Switzerland and Courtney McCoy from Georgia finished tied for the lead, with Elaine King and Susan Stephens close behind in third place. The women will play their second round on Brewster Ridge this afternoon, with the top players vying for a spot at the top of the leaderboard.

The championships feature 11 divisions competing across two courses, with many players within one stroke of each other after the first round. Follow the scores and video coverage later this week on pdgalive.com and Central Coast Disc Golf's social media channels.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/2019mastersworlds/round-one-wrap-up