Day one of the 2014 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships presented by Keen officially came to an end a few hours ago as the vendors at the Flymart packed up their goodies and closed up shop for the night. The first day of any competitive event that lasts for five days is always going to be seen as somewhat insignificant, in the long run anyway. In the case of the 2014 Pro Worlds, day one is just the beginning of a physically and mentally exhausting disc golf endurance contest.

Based on local forecasts, we expected some of the courses during the first day of the 2014 Pro Worlds to be hit with rain, thunderstorms, and lightning. This all too familiar scenario for the 2014 season became a reality once again and the tournament staff was forced to suspend and delay rounds at McCormick Park, Milo McIver Park, and Trojan Park.

Speaking of lightning delays, if one is called, it’s because the people in charge are concerned about the safety of everyone on the course. Inconveniencing the competitors is the last thing on their minds as the risk of lightning strikes near, as it should be. Safety comes first, and we applaud them for taking that approach....and we always will.

The men in the Open division faced one lightning delay while playing both the east and west courses at Milo McIver State Park. Their division is still split into two different pools and it will remain that way until after their third round tomorrow at Trojan Park. Ricky Wysokci #38008 and Nikko Locastro #11534 finished the morning round in first and second, respectively. However, their efforts during round two would be outshined by Paul Ulibarri #27171.

Ulibarri started the afternoon round as one of eight different players tied for third place, all two strokes back from the lead. He would finish the round on Milo West with 12 birdies, bogey free. He was the only competitor to shoot in the 40s on Milo West out of either of the pools all day, although Simon Lizotte #8332 was very close just one stroke behind him for the round. Ulibarri will start the day tomorrow on top of the A-pool, and he’ll be joined by Wysocki, Lizotte, and Locastro on the lead card.

The Open Women played just a single round this morning at Blue Lake and Catrina Allen #44184 finished the day as the leader after shooting a six under par 56. Her card was stacked with competition, with the likes of Ragna Bygde #8559, Paige Pierce #29190, and Val Jenkins #17495. Only Bygde would play well enough to play on the lead card with Allen tomorrow. Bygde is now tied for second place with six time World Champion Elaine King #3090 and Melodie Bailey #34751.

Join us for the second day of the 2014 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships presented by Keen as the competitors take on new courses in new conditions with new competition. DiscGolfPlanet will covering the event once again with live video and we’ll have live scores up and running on PDGALive.com.

One thing is for certain: there’s still a lot of golf left. Tune in and support your favorite players as the endurance contest that is the 2014 Pro Worlds continues tomorrow!

Photo Credit: Pat Perman