Windy Conditions Challenge Disc Golfers at 2023 Discraft Great Lakes Open

The second round of the 2023 Discraft Great Lakes Open proved to be a true test of skill for all competitors, as strong winds swept across the Toboggan course. The unpredictable weather conditions made it difficult for players to accurately gauge their shots, but some stood out from the pack with exceptional performances.

In the FPO division, Ohn Scoggins continued her impressive streak, posting a seven-under hot round for the second consecutive day. Her consistency and ability to adapt to the challenging winds have given her a commanding lead of six strokes over the competition. When asked about her strategy, Scoggins explained that she relies on throwing highly stable discs that can withstand the gusts.

Scoggins' approach has allowed her to maintain an impressive birdie rate (47%) and scramble rate (71%), while minimizing lost shots to out of bounds (OB). Her confidence is evident in her statement: "I just throw something super overstable, something I know is going to come back, and trust my disc."

The competition will have its work cut out for them as they attempt to close the gap with Scoggins. Ella Hansen and Holyn Handley both recorded six-under rounds, propelling themselves into second and third place, respectively. Handley's round was particularly noteworthy, as she led the field in parked percentage (22%) and managed an eagle on one of the holes.

However, it's worth noting that Handley had a more erratic round than Hansen, with an eagle and double bogey scattered throughout her scorecard. When discussing the wind's impact, Handley observed: "Almost every hole you're at the teebox and you think the wind's doing one thing, it's doing something completely different in the middle, and then something different at the pin."

Meanwhile, in the MPO division, Eagle McMahon continued his dominance, posting a six-under score to maintain his tie for the lead with Kevin Jones. McMahon demonstrated exceptional skill under pressure, navigating the challenging winds without a single bogey on his card.

When asked if he adjusts his putting stroke to accommodate for the wind, McMahon replied: "I try not to adjust it at all, actually. I tell myself 'Just putt it normal,' and a lot of the time it usually works better." His putting prowess was evident in his 50% circle two (C2) putting percentage.

The Toboggan course's redesigned layout has introduced tighter OB lines, making it even more challenging for players to navigate the unpredictable winds. McMahon's ability to maintain a high scramble rate (91%) and strokes gained tee-to-green (+10.50) is testament to his skill and adaptability.

The competition will continue into the final two rounds of the tournament, with Chris Dickerson and Anthony Barela rising through the ranks to join Jones and McMahon in contention. Barela's impressive nine-under round has brought him within striking distance of the leaders, but he knows it won't be easy: "Hole 16 is just a toss-up; I mean I missed my line by one foot and then the vines just dropped it straight down."

As the players face another challenging day on the course, only time will tell if anyone can topple Scoggins' lead in the FPO division or McMahon's dominance in the MPO field.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/new-day-same-leaders