Thrilling Start to 2023 USWDGC as Records Tumble and Leaders Emerge

The inaugural rounds of the 2023 United States Women's Disc Golf Championships (USWDGC) got underway on Thursday at Cedarock Park in Burlington, North Carolina. With a record-breaking field of 340 competitors, the tournament promises to be one for the books, and so far, it's delivering.

In the FPO division, which kicked off play on the new Regulator course at Cedarock Park, Jennifer Allen set the pace with an impressive performance. However, she wasn't alone in making waves early on – a three-way tie has emerged at the top of the leaderboard, with several players separated by just two strokes.

Meanwhile, Des Reading stole the show in FP50, carding a staggering 12-under round on the Wellspring track at Alamance County Park. The impressive display earned her a commanding five-stroke lead over the rest of the field.

The Junior divisions were also off to a fast start, with Allie Lawler (FJ15) and Hayden Harper (FJ10) both seizing early leads in their respective age groups. Shelby Birdy Cowen's standout performance, shooting 95 points above her rating, has given her a three-stroke advantage in FJ15.

As the tournament heads into its second round on Friday, all eyes will be on the leaders to see if they can maintain their momentum or if new challengers will emerge. The entire lead card in each division is separated by less than three strokes, ensuring that every disc golf fan is in for a thrilling ride.

In other notable results from the first round, Amy Cooper took control of FP55 with a two-stroke lead over Donna Barr, while Donna Griest capitalized on her strong finish to take a three-stroke advantage in FP65. Alecia Trauscht's one-stroke lead over Brook Johnson in FA1 is sure to generate plenty of excitement, as will the close battles brewing in other divisions.

The USWDGC will continue to unfold over the next few days, with each round promising to deliver more drama and intrigue. As the competitors battle it out on the courses, fans can stay up-to-date with all the latest news and updates via PDGA Live and Central Coast Disc Golf's YouTube channel.

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This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/hot-starts-and-close-battles-already