It’s a given that each season, the Glass Blown Open is an event that will wow spectators and players alike. With record attendance this year at over 1600 competitors, the DD team continues to work tirelessly to create one of the premier events in North America. With this year’s season bringing unexpected tournament results left and right, it was anyone’s guess as to who would take home the title this year.
Big Arms Prevail
The 2018 GBO had a bit of an interesting format this year, with the men’s open field competing at the same course all three tournament days. The Emporia Country Club certainly takes a fair amount of technical skill and mental focus, but at the end of the day, it’s a course that favors a big arm. This year’s starting hole alone measured at almost 1200 feet, giving players a chance to get their nerves out sooner rather than later.
As to be expected, a handful of notable names charged hard on day one, coming in at 10 under par after the day’s round. Nearly every single “big thrower” in the sport landed in this top position, including Eagle McMahon, Simon Lizotte, Ricky Wysocki, Drew Gibson, and Grady Shue. Day one for the ladies saw Paige Pierce attempt to take a commanding lead, although she didn’t quite calculate the skill and determination from fellow Trilogy player Rebecca Cox, who landed one stroke back going into the second round.
Round 1 Final 9 for MPO below!
Windy Conditions
While Emporia didn’t see whether even close to what occurred during last year’s GBO, the winds did pick up on Friday and proved to be more challenging than many anticipated. Moving day saw decent scores with McMahon and Gibson once again finding their way near the top of the leaderboard.
A questionable lie on hole 16 involving both players would prove to be a rather fateful turn of events, as McMahon attempted to land on the island and came up just a bit short. A group decision was ultimately made to call the disc out of bounds, but there was some notable concern from Drew as it seemed that Eagle thought he may have landed safely.
The end of Friday’s play resulted with the same names staying put at the top, and with everyone within striking distance of first place, tensions were high heading into the final round.
Watch Round 2 Front 9 below!
A Repeat Performance
The Glass Blown Open stands out in Eagle’s mind as his breakout event, and it’s the place where he began to become a household name. Now, after already securing the first NT win of 2018, he had a mission to take home the trophy. Competitors on his card put up a fight, particularly with Gibson’s near ace on hole 15. Watching it splash out, much to the chagrin of everyone watching, put even more pressure on McMahon.
The disc golf gods decided to shine upon Eagle on hole 16, perhaps thanking him for taking an appropriate call the day before. He landed the island, leaving himself a doable putt, while Wysocki and Gibson both carded a bogey. Gibson kept the pressure through the rest of the round, but McMahon was able to take home the win by a one-stroke lead.
Just as exciting was the women’s action taking place simultaneously at Peter Pan. Both Lisa Fajkus and Sarah Hokom shot incredibly clean rounds, yet once again, Pierce remained victorious and is still undefeated for the 2018 season.
The tour now slowly begins to make its way west, with events in California and Oregon over the next month. Will Eagle continue to dominate this year? Will we see Paul McBeth finally activate beast mode? Let us know who you’re rooting for in the comments below!
watch the final action below!
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