Henna Blomroos has never held a lead in a Major or Elite series event before this week. Photo: Justin Anderson / PDGA Media

Transatlantic Battle

You could be forgiven for thinking that we are watching a preview of the next Presidents Cup.

With three European players atop the FPO leaderboard and a pack of American players close on their heels, 2022 Pro Worlds—at least on the women’s side—has been putting on a distinctly transatlantic vibe.

Should one of the three pull out a win, they would be the first European to win a Worlds since Birgitta Lagerholm of Sweden became the only player – man or woman – to do so when she won the Des Moines Worlds in 2004.

Leading the chase by one throw after 54 holes of play are Estonian, Kristin Tattar, and Finn, Henna Blomroos.

Blomroos was on pace for a course record early in round 3, going 8-down through the first 11 holes before a bogey on hole 13 and a string of missed C1 putts pulled her back to earth.

Meanwhile, Tattar, who had come into the round two-shots clear of the field, started off sluggish, carding bogeys on thee of the first five holes before turning things around and stringing together birdies on holes 7 through 10.

The two players could not have more contrasting styles; while Tattar plays with controlled aggression—methodically slicing up fairways with dependable forehands and backhands and the ability to finish consistently with the putter—Blomroos’s game is characterized by all-out aggression—blasting away from the tee with her world class backhand in hopes of making life on the green easier.

Eveliina Salonen is one back of the lead after matching the hot round at Jones Supreme on Thursday. Photo: Justin Anderson / PDGA Media

Also blasting away from the tee is Blomroos’s compatriot, Eveliina Salonen, who used her prodigious power to match the hot round at 10-under and move into that third-place position, one shot back of the lead.

Matching Salonen’s 10-under was American, Holyn Handley, who moves into fourth place—two behind the leaders—despite carding 13 OB strokes during the tournament so far.

Five-time champion, Paige Pierce, is still in contention after bouncing back from back-to-back double bogeys on holes 5 and 6 with an eagle on hole 7 to finish at 5-under for the round and three shots out of the lead.

Meanwhile, defending champion, Catrina Allen, who fought her way back into contention with the hot round on Wednesday, fell back once again with a 1-over round that leaves her in 16th place.

Action moves over to the Emporia Country Club for rounds 4 and 5. Catch the live broadcast beginning at 9 a.m. CT on the Disc Golf Network.