2026 NZ Open | RD1 B9 | Pierce, Merstch, Hokom, Reigh
Catch up on the action from the 2026 New Zealand Open presented by RPM Discs, brought to you by Gothro and MVP Disc Sports. Sarah Hookham is joined by Jennifer Smiley at the orchard course, known for its plum trees and challenging holes like the par-5 707 ft hole 10. The current leaders are Pierce, Merstch, Hokom, and Reigh, with Hookum holding a strong lead of five under par. Smiley provides an update on the chase card, with Sophia Donica in second and third place. As the players navigate this beautiful course, they must contend with unpredictable wind patterns, including head-to-head gusts that can affect their disc selection. Watch as Jennifer throws her Fish and Defy, a technique inspired by Chandler's play, while Paige takes on Captain's Thrasher for added stability. See how these top players tackle the challenges of this orchard course and what strategies they use to overcome the elements.
Watch top disc golfers Ricky Pierce, Gannon Merstch & Paul McBeth in action at the 2026 NZ Open. Thrilling shots from the pros!
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Welcome back everyone to the 2026 New Zealand Open presented by RPM Discs. This part of the tour down under brought to you by Gothro and presented by MVP Disc Sports. I'm Sarah Hookham here with Jennifer Smiley. What's up everybody? Welcome to the back nine. Um, yeah, we are here at the orchard, which is a beautiful course in New Zealand, known for all of the fruits that you can find on the course, specifically the plums. [music] Um, so you're going to see some players snacking on those throughout the round, probably. >> There's some pears, too. I heard those aren't those aren't ready till March, though. >> No. Yeah, I tried one. Don't recommend. [laughter] Um right now we got Sarah Hokum in the lead at five under and then um you have myself and Sophia Donica kind of snuck up and from the chase card for your second and third spot. So we'll see how it all plays out. Hole 10 is a par five 707 ft. Uh and you kind of play downhill on your second shot and then pitch up over to the basket that's pretty guarded. [music] Uh this hole has some insane wind. Uh especially head right to left is the common wind on this hole. That's what we had today too. This is a fish and defy. >> Good disc selection there. [laughter] >> You saw some of the other coverage of the tore down. You're seeing Smiley throw the fish and defy. She's been an inspiration to me on that. Chandler. She's going with her buzz. That's what she threw off a whole one as well. Paige is going big here. She goes Captain's Thrasher, which actually one of really stable 11 speeds, and it leaves it out to the right. They're looking for some carry. And the wind changes cuz it should have pushed that way to the left. >> Yeah. >> Merch puts her halo destroyer in the air as well. And the same thing happens. >> Wow. Yeah, it looks like they're trying to get over that, you know, first initial landing zone and just kind of ending up in a brush over there, which is something that you don't see many players go for. >> Yeah, they're inbounds over there, but they're really pinched. I'm throwing a fireball. It's some wind movement, but I put it...
