It started with an inspiring and breakout performance from Aaron Gossage, but also through a putt that he worked on throughout the week, a lingering injury and naysayers that suggested that he had fallen off.
Gossage — the underdog, the Cinderella Story, the improbable, whatever you want to call it — has strung together four consistent rounds of ice-cold disc golf to enter the final lap through the Emporia Country Club with a three-stroke lead with his first PDGA Major and largest career win by far squarely in his sights.
As it’s been from the start in Emporia, Kansas, the field is tight, and the pressure is mounting with just two rounds left before a PDGA World Champion is crowned.
And the rest of the best players to play the sport are right there chasing them.
Completing a stellar feat, Colorado’s Tristan Tanner has emerged from the B Pool in Emporia, Kansas and has made the jump to the very top. His fellow statesman, Aaron Gossage, shares the title of co-leader after putting together two solid rounds to start Pro Worlds.
A marathon turned into a sprint on Tuesday as 286 of the top players in the world hit the courses in Emporia, Kansas to kick off the 40th edition of the PDGA World Championships and the action, as it's been throughout the 2022 season, was fast and furious.
Moments have defined the history of the Pro Worlds.
We'll all remember the one from 2021, a clip that we've see time and time again and will likely see replayed for the foreseeable future, but that one is just the latest in a 40-year history of Pro Worlds.
The quest for No. 6 for Paige Pierce and Paul McBeth continues. Catrina Allen and James Conrad — who both had throws that defined the 2021 Worlds — are the defending champions.
Lisa Fajkus walked off the course at Mulligans with a big, confident smile. Catrina Allen felt like her round was even better than the scorecard indicated. Kristin Tattar picked up steam heading down the stretch and jumped right back into the spotlight.
Sarah Giplin lines up a putt on Tuesday at The Fort in Utah. Photo: Hayden Henry / PDGA
OGDEN, Utah — A wide range of emotions accompany the opening rounds of the world championships, nervousness, excitement and frustration among them.
Five-time champion Paige Pierce felt the nerves when stepping up to the first teebox on Tuesday. Sarah Gilpin had a similiar feeling coming down the stretch of Tuesday’s first round and, after tapping our her final putt, joy took over.
“It’s amazing — unexpected,” said Gilpin with an emotional smile on her face. “I figured I was shooting one of the best rounds of my life when the cameras showed up.