Young Pro Calvin Heimburg Wins Ed Headrick Disc Golf Hall of Fame Classic in Thrilling Sudden-Death Playoff

In a weekend that will be remembered for its intense competition and dramatic finishes, Calvin Heimburg emerged victorious at the Ed Headrick Disc Golf Hall of Fame Classic. The young pro from Wisconsin secured his third win on the PDGA National Tour in four years by outlasting Adam Hammes in a sudden-death playoff.

The tournament, held at the International Disc Golf Center's W.R. Jackson course, had seen Heimburg and Hammes battling it out for the top spot throughout the weekend. After 54 holes of play, both players were tied with a score of 25-under par, forcing them into an additional two frames to determine the winner.

Heimburg got off to a strong start in the final round, tying the score by birdieing five of the first six holes. Hammes kept pace, thanks to his impressive putting skills, which included hitting from 50, 70, and 60 feet for birdies on consecutive holes. The competition was neck-and-neck until the middle of the course, where both players began to falter.

Hammes struggled with wayward drives on holes 10, 11, and 12, while Heimburg missed crucial birdie putts on those same holes. This created an opportunity for Chris Dickerson, who was playing from the chase card, to make a push for the top spot. Dickerson had a hot round, landing an ace on hole 11 and putting himself in contention.

However, it was Hammes who managed to regain momentum by birdieing hole 16 and paring hole 17. This left Heimburg with the pressure of needing a strong finish to stay in the game. The Wisconsin pro responded by birdieing holes 16 and 17, but Hammes also matched him on those holes.

The tension reached its peak as both players arrived at the final hole, where Hammes' 30-foot putt forced Heimburg into a sudden-death playoff. The young pro took his chance and made a crucial 40-foot putt to win the tournament. This victory marked a significant turning point in Heimburg's career, securing him first place in the PDGA National Tour points race for an extra $6,000 bonus.

Heimburg was visibly shaken by the high-pressure finish but managed to keep his composure. "It was just do or die," he said. "Definitely the adrenaline was pumping, nerves were up more so than they had been the rest of the round." In a fitting conclusion to an intense weekend, Heimburg celebrated his win with Pringles courtesy of Zach Melton and Eric Oakley.

The Ed Headrick Disc Golf Hall of Fame Classic has once again proven itself as one of the most exciting events on the PDGA National Tour calendar. With its thrilling finishes and talented competitors, it's no wonder that this tournament has become a staple in the world of disc golf.

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