Paul McBeth roars after hitting the winning putt at Winthrop. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA
Paul McBeth remembered the spot, literally and figuratively.
It came down to a playoff with a PDGA Major title on the line. He had been there before, earlier this year at PDGA Pro Worlds and earlier in his career at Winthrop.
“There used to be a log right there and I missed the putt from there,” McBeth said of his 2014 playoff in Rock Hill. “It was a good spot to make that one.”
Paul McBeth is looking for his third USDGC title on Saturday. Photo: Kevin Huver / PDGA
Paul McBeth likes his position.
As the rain fell on Friday at the Winthrop Arena, the five-time PDGA World Champion rose to the top.
With the putter working and drives that avoided the daunting OBs in Rock Hill as the weather turned sideways, McBeth is eyeing his third United States Disc Golf Championship.
But Chris Dickerson is right there, one stroke back, looking to be the first player to go back-to-back at Winthrop since Ken Climo.
Chris Dickerson, the 2020 USDGC champion, leads by three strokes. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA
There are no easy shots coming down the stretch in Rock Hill, both on the course at Winthrop and as the United States Disc Golf Championship hits the midway point of competition.
Both of those instances are when the already-high pressure amps up even more.
“There are no easy shots coming down the stretch with the wind, the slopes and fast greens,” Ricky Wysocki told the Disc Golf Network’s Terry Miller. “You have to focus on every shot until the road is completely finished.”
A little out of position, the 2018 PDGA World Champion made the decision to err on the side of caution on the approach and was left with a 65-foot look at birdie.
He cashed it.
Gregg Barsby lines up a shot during the first round of the USDGC. Photo: Kevin Huver / PDGA
2019 USDGC Champion James Conrad will be on Wednesday's feature card on the Disc Golf Network.
It takes every shot — hyzers, straight shots, turnovers, you name it — to navigate the Winthrop Arena.
But it doesn't just demand a complete repertoire, it demands precision.
"Winthrop, more than any other course, challenges you to stay in bounds, to throw accurate shots," 2020 USDGC Champion Chris Dickerson said. "All of those shots need to be in bounds."
It also adds an added amount of pressure as one the longest-running and prestigious stops on the disc golf tour as the final PDGA Major of the year.
Chris Dickerson is the defending United States Disc Golf Champion. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen / PDGA
This season has proven that — week-in and week-out — anything can happen on the PDGA Elite Series.
That sets up for what promises to be a thrilling week at one of disc golf's most revered locations.
The final PDGA Major of the year, arguably one of the most prestigious and anticipated events outside of a World Championship, the United States Disc Golf Championship kicks off on Wednesday. The inaugural Throw Pink Women's Disc Golf Championship, like its counterpart, will test the best in the sport on the hallowed grounds of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Rock Hill, SC - The United States Disc Golf Championship has partnered with the Disc Golf Network to execute its pay-per-view (PPV) live broadcast for the 2021 edition of this PDGA Major Championship. The Disc Golf Network has locked in a 20% discount for its subscribers, and the broadcast will stream exclusively on the Disc Golf Network platform and through its apps for those who purchase the PPV.
