Ultimate Legend Chris O'Cleary Makes Surprise Return to PDGA Worlds After 30-Year Absence

Chris O'Cleary is no stranger to the world of disc golf. With two wins as a female professional (FPO) player in the late 1980s, she's been a trailblazer for women in the sport. But what many people didn't know was that O'Cleary had stepped away from competitive disc golf for over three decades, instead focusing on her career in ultimate frisbee. That is, until this year.

At the age of 59, O'Cleary decided to dust off her old discs and make a surprise return to PDGA Worlds, where she was competing against top-notch players like Catrina Allen and Ella Hanson. In an exclusive interview with us, O'Cleary shared the story behind her decision and what it's been like to be back on the course.

The idea of returning to PDGA Worlds first came about when a friend invited O'Cleary to spectate at the event. "I thought to myself, 'Why not play?'" she said with a smile. "It was an opportunity to meet the people I've always admired and maybe even get some playing time in." And so, O'Cleary registered as a player, despite having no expectation of competing seriously.

As it turned out, O'Cleary's decision paid off. She played her way onto the same card as Catrina Allen, Ella Hanson, and Sai Ananda on day one, and even managed to break some distance records along the way. "It was an incredible experience," she said. "I soaked up every moment of it!"

But what's truly remarkable about O'Cleary's story is not just her return to disc golf, but also the impact it had on others. Her friend Juliana Korver, a fellow multi-time world champion from a generation ago, was inspired by O'Cleary's presence at Worlds and has since spoken about how watching her on the course lit a fire within herself to become a top player.

O'Cleary's ultimate background has also given her an edge in disc golf. "Disc golf improved my mental game in ultimate because it's only you and the disc," she explained. "You have to perform each and every throw, which helped me develop focus and composure under pressure." And conversely, O'Cleary believes that playing ultimate contributed to her success in disc golf by teaching her how to read and use wind patterns to maximize distance.

As for her future plans, O'Cleary is considering competing in Masters Worlds, where she would face off against Elaine King in the FPO division. "I think so," she said with a grin. "Age-protected divisions seem appealing right about now!"

When asked if she'll return to PDGA Worlds in the open division again, O'Cleary didn't rule it out. "If I qualify and it's in a beautiful location, why not?" she said. "The disc golf community has been very welcoming, and I've met so many cool people. Who knows? Maybe this is just the beginning of my next chapter in disc golf."

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/return-2x-world-champion-chris-ocleary