Ricky Wysocki (left) headlines this week's rankings, with Drew Gibson continuing his steady climb. Photo: The Flight Record

A one-shot win at the Dynamic Discs Glass Blown Open was enough to move Eagle McMahon one slot in this week’s Directors Poll, but it wasn’t enough to earn him the number one spot.

That honor still belongs to Ricky Wysocki, who battled to a second-place tie at the GBO with a course record-setting final round at the Emporia Country Club. Our directors and state coordinators are going with the two-time PDGA World Champion over the younger McMahon, but it’s fair to wonder how the poll will continue to evolve as the professional circuit moves to the West Coast, where the courses get significantly more wooded. Do we see Paul McBeth claw his way back to the top as he gets to the friendly confines of DeLaveaga? Can Sarah Hokom use her strengths and end Paige Pierce’s undefeated season? Does Wysocki cement his position with a repeat at the Beaver State Fling? The San Francisco Open, which is new to the pro scene this season, could prove to be a wild card.

Whatever happens, it’s going to be fun.

Other observations from this week’s poll:

• Though Wysocki took the top slot, it was still a close call. He garnered 56.25 percent of the available first place votes to McMahon’s 43.75.
• If Drew Gibson isn’t the surprise of the season, I don’t know who is. The 22-year-old crusher held his own the entire weekend in Kansas, and he’s steadily climbed these rankings all season.
• Lisa Fajkus’ continued ascent as a weekly contender in the women’s division reached its zenith at the GBO, with her second-place finish her career best on the National Tour. As a result, she’s rewarded with the third-place spot on the poll.
• Nate Doss’ shoulder proved to be no issue at the tour’s longest track so far in 2018, and his seventh-place showing in Emporia equals a seventh-place showing on our big board.
• The kids are pretty good. Kevin Jones, Grady Shue, and A.J. Risley give the end of the poll an infusion of youth, and some more consistency will keep them there.
• This poll was completed before JohnE McCray’s runaway U.S. Masters win and McBeth and Hokom’s Ws at the Nick Hyde Memorial.

See you in California for the next poll!

Open

Open Women

Lisa Fajkus' best NT finish resulted in her best Directors Poll showing, too. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen