Weather Delays but Not the Scores at PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships

The opening rounds of the 2023 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships presented by L.L.Bean were marked by scorching scores before a sudden turn in the weather led to an unexpected delay at Smugglers' Notch in Vermont. The lightning storm that rolled in just after Wednesday's feature card teed off forced a halt, causing players to wait out the tempest until dusk.

When play resumed, six cards continued their opening round into the evening hours before the darkness and rain took over once more. These groups will complete their first 18 holes on Thursday morning, adding an extra layer of excitement to the already intense competition.

Before the weather intervened, several players made significant strides in the leaderboard. Chris Clemons, a highly rated player with a 1086 rating, set the tone for the day by carding a blistering 12-under par round at Brewster Ridge. His flawless performance earned him a two-stroke clubhouse lead in the A Pool, with nary a bogey to his name.

Clemons' dominance was mirrored by Anthony Barela, who joined him in double-digit territory with an impressive 10-under par score. Barela distinguished himself as the only player to start strong, going 5-for-5 at Brewster. This set the stage for what promised to be a closely contested competition.

Meanwhile, Isaac Robinson and Finland's Jesse Nieminen found themselves at the forefront of the pack at 9-under par, poised to make a statement when they tee off on Thursday's second round. Zach Arlinghaus, Cole Redalen, Gavin Babcock, Niklas Anttila, and Aaron Gossage are all within striking distance, locked in a five-way tie for third place.

Thursday morning will bring an exciting conclusion to the first round as 24 players look to navigate their way up the leaderboard. The action resumes at Fox Run Meadows with a full field eager to capitalize on any momentum gained before the suspension.

Players like Alden Harris and Jakub Semerad, who are both just one stroke off the lead through different numbers of holes, will be keenly observed as they attempt to make up ground. In the B Pool, Nick Hanson set a strong pace with a 10-under par score at Fox Run Meadows, leaving Raven Newsom and Jaden Rye in pursuit.

As the competition inches closer to its climax, spectators can tune into the Disc Golf Network for live coverage starting at 7:45 a.m. ET on Thursday. The resumed action promises to be electrifying, with numerous storylines waiting to unfold amidst the picturesque backdrop of the Green Mountains.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/hot-rounds-and-dark-skies