Texas Native Takes Command in Delaware Disc Golf Challenge
Date Published
Connor O'Reilly made the impossible look possible on Saturday at the Iron Hill course in Delaware. The Austin, Texas native's impressive performance propelled him to the top of the leaderboard, and he won't let go without a fight. With a dominating 11-under par round, O'Reilly seized control of the PDGA National Tour - Delaware Disc Golf Challenge by five strokes.
The turning point came when O'Reilly sunk an 83-foot throw-in for birdie, one of ten he achieved in an incredible 11-hole stretch. It was a defining moment not only for his game but also for his mental toughness. "I knew at that moment if I kept plugging along, it would be a good round," O'Reilly said.
Throughout the round, O'Reilly displayed remarkable consistency and accuracy, hitting fairways with an impressive 86% rate. His putting average was equally impressive, coming in at 15 feet. This breakout performance will give him confidence heading into Championship Sunday as he chases his first PDGA Elite Series win.
However, O'Reilly's competitors are far from giving up. Andrew Marwede's impressive eight-under par round catapulted him to second place, just one stroke ahead of Ricky Wysocki and Raven Newsom. Meanwhile, Calvin Heimburg made a remarkable comeback after a dismal opening day with a 10-under round, moving eight strokes back into contention.
The finish of the Delaware Disc Golf Challenge will be broadcast live on the Disc Golf Network beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET, and fans can expect a thrilling conclusion to this intense competition.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
Austin, Texas' Connor O'Reilly cashes a putt on 18 at Iron Hill. Photo: Kevin Huver / PDGA
Connor O’Reilly had one of those moments.
Leading the chase card on moving day, O’Reilly got off to a decent start on Saturday at the PDGA National Tour – Delaware Disc Golf Challenge
Then he took off, sparked by an 83-foot throw-in for birdie, one of 10 in an 11-hole stretch, and didn't look back.
Connor O'Reilly lines up a shot on Saturday at Iron Hill in Delaware. Photo: Kevin Huver / PDGA
“That was a pretty big one,” O’Reilly said of the moment. “You hit a big putt playing with Rick who you’re used to seeing hit those big putts and hearing the crowd go crazy for him, so having one of those moments yourself was big.
“I knew at that moment that if I kept plugging along then it would be a good round.”
Complete coverage of the NT - Delaware Disc Golf Challenge »
O’Reilly stayed clean as he turned on an absolute heater on his way to a course-record 11-under par. The Austin, Texas native will take a five-stroke lead heading into Championship Sunday as he chases his first PDGA Elite Series win.
The round was clean and methodical during his breakout performance with an 86% mark in fairway hits. He averaged 15 feet on his putts, including that big moment.
“Just keep doing what I’ve been doing,” O’Reilly said. “Play my game, keep the pace nice and even, and give myself chances out there.”
But this one isn’t over, and several players are within striking distance and Iron Hill has a history of delivering those comeback finishes.
Andrew Marwede continued his strong play of late with an eight-under round to jump to second place. Photo: Kevin Huver / PDGA
Andrew Marwede went bogey-free in an 8-under round to jump eight spots into second place at 13-under par. Ricky Wysocki and Raven Newsom round out the lead card at 12-under.
Raven Newsom runs a putt during the second round of the DDGC on Saturday. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA
Calvin Heimburg bounced back from a dismal opening day with a 10-under round and is eight strokes back to lead the chase card.
Catch the finish of the Delaware Disc Golf Challenge live on the Disc Golf Network beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/oreilly-surges-five-stroke-lead-iron-hill