Wysocki Lights Up Fort Gordon to Take Commanding Lead

The temperature soared above triple digits as Ricky Wysocki took center stage at the Marine/Navy Disc Golf Course in Fort Gordon, Georgia. Undeterred by the scorching heat and humidity, Wysocki delivered a masterclass performance, carding a 12-under par 55 to take the top spot on the leaderboard.

The defending PDGA World Champion's blistering round was an improvement of four strokes from his first-day tally, with not a single bogey to be seen. His impressive effort earned him a share of the lead alongside JohnE McCray, who also posted a 1034-rated 8-under par 55. Devan Owens completed the top three with a 9-under par 58, which propelled him from fifth place to sole possession of third.

Six players are currently tied for fourth place, each having taken different routes to achieve their 15-under par totals. Cameron Colglazier and Adam Hammes both made significant gains after posting 9-under par rounds, while Simon Lizotte, Paul McBeth, and Eagle McMahon produced 7-under par 60s. Chris Dickerson rounded out the group with a 6-under par 61.

Wysocki's unorthodox approach to battling the heat was an inspiration to all. Taking advantage of the numerous ice chests on each hole, he cooled down before every shot, which he credited as a "double whammy" in refreshing his mindset.

The real test came on the treacherous Navy portion of the course, where Wysocki's cunning and skill were put to the ultimate challenge. He employed an arsenal of forehand and backhand shots, exploiting the slopes to take birdies on all four par 4s on the back nine.

"I was playing pretty aggressive," Wysocki said, reflecting on his strategy. "I was in position for many drives, so I could attack on the second shot." His bold approach paid dividends as he took advantage of two-shot par holes and sealed the deal with a long putt on hole 16.

McCray, meanwhile, maintained a relaxed demeanor throughout his round, entertaining his playing partners with stories from his clinic experience in Oklahoma. He finished strong with consecutive birdies, showcasing both power and finesse on the 1,004-foot closing hole.

For McCray, this event holds special meaning, as it's dedicated to honoring his late father, who served in the military for 22 years. "I'm doing this for my dad," he said, visibly emotional. "I want to give him a Father's Day present."

The field has been shuffled following round two, with players reassigned based on their scores. The top-rated players will tee off at the International Disc Golf Center's W.R. Jackson Course, where Wysocki aims to maintain his momentum and continue his pursuit of a second World Championship title.

As the lead card tees off today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern, fans can follow the action on Ultiworld Disc Golf and PDGALive for live scoring and updates.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/2017proworlds/wysocki-brings-heat-ties-lead-worlds