Windy Conditions Challenge Disc Golfers at USDGC and TPWDGC

The sun was shining brightly over Winthrop, but a steady breeze greeted players at the start of the 2025 United States Disc Golf Championship (USDGC) and Throw Pink Women's Disc Golf Championship on Thursday in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The windy conditions presented a unique challenge for the world-class disc golfers competing on the prestigious course.

Paul McBeth, widely regarded as one of the best players in the sport, navigated the challenging wind-aided obstacles with ease, carding an impressive 10-under par score for the first round. This stunning performance earned him a two-stroke lead going into Friday's competition. McBeth's consistency was evident throughout his game, as he went bogey-free and showed remarkable skill in converting crucial putts from both Circle 1 and Circle 2.

McBeth's impressive display of disc golf prowess was matched by Andrew Marwede, who also managed an 8-under par score for the day. Corey Ellis found himself just two strokes behind McBeth, solidifying his position as a strong contender for the championship title. Meanwhile, Evan Scott, Luke Taylor, and Ty Love all tied for fifth place with 7-under par scores, each setting their sights on a podium finish.

The competition among the women was just as fierce, with Missy Gannon emerging as the leader after Round 1 of the TPWDGC (Throw Pink Women's Disc Golf Championship). Anneli Tõugjas-Männiste from Estonia had initially taken the lead, but Gannon's stronger finish saw her claim a one-stroke advantage. The Estonian player had started brightly with several impressive drives, including a blistering 67-foot birdie on Hole 1 and a 136-foot throw-in on Hole 4.

Gannon's steady play from Circle 1 was instrumental in her success, as she managed to convert 9 out of 11 putts from the inner circle. Tõugjas-Männiste struggled slightly on the back nine, allowing Gannon to take the lead. Silva Saarinen and Hanna Huynh are tied for third place with a 3-under par score, each still in contention for the championship title.

The remainder of the field will be eager to catch up with McBeth's commanding performance at the USDGC, while Gannon will look to maintain her advantage at the TPWDGC. The next chapter in these thrilling competitions unfolds on Friday, as players will push themselves to new heights in pursuit of victory.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

A steady breeze welcomed players to Winthrop for the start of the 2025 United States Disc Golf Championship and Throw Pink Women's Disc Golf Championship on Thursday in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Paul McBeth navigated the wind-aided OBs of Winthrop to start the final PDGA MPO Major of the year in double-digit fashion. McBeth went bogey free — highlighted by a 4-of-5 showing from Circle 2 — for 10-under opening round and a two-stroke lead. McBeth was steady in every area, turning to OB shots into pars on Hole 11 and then again on 16, which came via a 45-foot connect. His lone Circle 1 miss came on 18.

Full USDGC Leaderboard >>

Andrew Marwede also made the 25 MPH gusts on Thursday a breeze with an 8-under, bogey-free round. He's joined by Corey Ellis in second place, two strokes back of McBeth. Evan Scott gets the nod to Friday's lead card at 7-under and is tied with Luke Taylor and Ty Love, who set the early pace. Four more players sit at 6-under.

Missy Gannon leads Anneli Tõugjas-Männiste by one stroke after Round 1 of the 2025 TPWDGC. Photos: Kevin Huver / DGN

Estonia's Anneli Tõugjas-Männiste had the better start, but Missy Gannon finished stronger, and one stroke separates the two after Round 1 of the TPWDGC.

Tõugjas-Männiste went 7-under through 10 holes but hit a little trouble on the back nine. A little later in the morning, Gannon was the only player to finish birdie-birdie at Winthrop to grab the early lead.

Full TPWDGC Leaderboard >>

With a 67-foot birdie on Hole 1, Tõugjas-Männiste followed with a 136-foot throw-in on Hole 4 and several hits from deep in Circle 1 in her blistering start. Gannon went 9-of-11 from Circle 1 and had two looks from C2 all day.

Hole 17 hit Silva Saarinen for a double bogey for a 3-under day and she's tied with Hanna Huynh, who had a rollercoaster back nine, in third, three strokes back of Gannon.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/just-breeze