In the lead up to the event, chatter among some speculators was that this year’s edition of the DGPT – Dynamic Discs Open would be primed for an “upstart” to emerge victorious. In the FPO field, multiple top European players have ventured home, including Kristin Tattar (three 2024 tour victories), Eveliina Salonen (two 2024 victories including one Major) and Anniken Steen (one 2024 tour victory). Henna Blomroos and Heidi Laine – two players seemingly in weekly contention in 2024 – are also home in Europe. Thus, opportunity presents itself for the rest of the FPO field.

In the MPO division, the defending champion is Parker Welck, who in 2023 became one of the more unlikely Elite Series champions in recent memory.

So, will this be the week for a breakthrough victory on tour?

Historic trends say… no.

Emporia’s Defending Champions

Before Parker Welck, the DDO winners’ list in the MPO field is… predictable. Going back 10 years to 2014, Ricky Wysocki has a victory, as does Simon Lizotte and Eagle McMahon. And, within that decade Paul McBeth won an astounding five times in a seven year stretch. (Note: McBeth also won the PDGA Pro World Championships held on the same property in 2022.)

The only “surprise” victor other than Welck was Cameron Todd in 2016.

In FPO, Catrina Allen and Paige Pierce essentially alternated in the winner’s circle from 2012 to 2020, with Hannah Leatherman elbowing her way into the party when she tied Pierce for the win in 2017. Since Pierce’s last DDO win in 2020, Hailey King has two wins and Kristin Tattar, one. (Note: Tattar also won the PDGA Pro World Championships held on the same property in 2022.)

Is a DDO victory for an upstart impossible? No. Unusual? Yes.

DGPT - Dynamic Discs Open — Full Scores & Stats via PDGA Live »

FPO: Five Under Par Lead the Way

No, not one player at 5-under-par. Five players – the only players under par in the FPO field – are tied for the lead at 1-under.

Past event champion Hailey King and 2024 U.S. Women’s Disc Golf champion Missy Gannon share the point position with a familiar face in Holyn Handley. And, as pre-event chatter indicated, several lesser-known talents are springing their way into contention. Emily Weatherman and Hanna Huynh will play on the 1-under-par lead card on Saturday morning. (Note: Due to having the highest PDGA number, Handley will play on Saturday’s chase card.)

What the... whaaat? Lykke recovered from this to finish even-par and will start just one behind the quintet of leaders on Saturday.

MPO: Home Cooking Usually Hits the Spot, Right?

And, Ricky Wysocki – one of Emporia, Kansas-based Dynamic Discs’ leading players – led the way at 11-under par on Friday. Wysocki will be joined on Saturday’s lead card by Calvin Heimburg (bogey free, 10-under), Anthony Barela (-9) and Estonian, Albert Tamm (-9). 

But, the highlight of the day... Chris Clemons at the infamous 16th hole.

In total, 18 players in the MPO field are at 6-under-par or better, and virtually all of the field insists (Author’s note: I asked.) that birdies are possible on every hole, and even those that were double-digits under par lamented a handful of strokes that were left on the course. Saturday’s moving day could separate the field or merely jumble the leaderboard for a Sunday afternoon showdown. (Another note: Should the event go to a playoff, it will be a three-hole aggregate affair.)

Watch the Dynamic Discs Open on the Disc Golf Network.