JohnE McRay tees off at Eureka Temp during round one of Masters Worlds. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA

JohnE McCray’s first few days at the 2022 PDGA Masters Disc Golf World Championships were full of hugs and smiles.

On Tuesday when the tournament officially kicked off, McCray, who is returning to PDGA Major action for the first time since suffering a heart attack in February, put on the game face and went to work.

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“It’s been very heartwarming to see everyone, to hear everyone cheering me on,” McCray said. “I’ve a very lucky man to even be standing. I should be happy about it all.”

McCray had just come off the course at Eureka Temp where he led the entire MP50 field in birdie percentage with six on the near 10,000-foot track. McCray carded the only birdie of the day on hole 10 in the middle of a four-hole stretch of birdies. He had two blemishes, a double on hole six, which played as the hardest hole of the day at +1.63 and a triple on the island hole 17.

Jennifer McCray caddies for JohnE during round one at Masters Worlds. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA

“I feel like I did pretty good – started off scared to throw then started throwing good shots,” McCray said. “I fell on my face on 17 and was lucky to save par on 18 to be honest, so I have to clean up the end.

“Shooting under par out here is not too bad, I guess, but there’s more out there.”

His 1-under round leaves him in solo first place in the 64-player MP50 field.

Mike Moser lines up a shot on Tuesday at Eureka Temp. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA

Right behind him is defending MP50 World Champion Barry Schultz at even par and Mike Moser, Patrick Brown and Das Loomis at plus-2.

Round two action shifts to the dramatically different Northwood Black.

There will no doubt be a few more hugs when McCray reunites with friends and supporters, but you can also guarantee he’ll have the game face on.

“Keep them in the fairway,” McCray said. “And have fun.”

Ohn Scoggins started her title defense strong at Masters Worlds. Photo: MarKing / PDGA

Ohn Keeps Rolling

Defending champion Ohn Scoggins arrived late on Monday from a second-place finish at the LWS Open at Idlewild and kept it up to begin her FP40 defense.

Scoggins, who has seven top-10 finishes on the PDGA Elite Series this year, led the field with six birdies and just one bogey at Northwood Blue, including grabbing four of the first five holes in a blistering start.

But her lead is slim, and she’s being chased by a few new faces — in the Masters Worlds field at least.

Holly Finley grabbed an ace in her Masters Worlds debut. Photo: MarKing / PDGA

Holly Finley used an ace on the 309-foot hole 8 for a 4-under round and to pull within one stroke of Scoggins. Sarah Hokom and Juliana Korver, both making their Masters Worlds debut as well, are three and four shots back, respectively.

Florida People

There’s a theme after the first round in Illinois and it involves the Sunshine State.

Five players from the state of Florida lead after the first 18 holes: McCray (MP40), Sandy Gast (FP55), Pam Peinke (FP60), Erin Fitzpatrick (FA50) and Buz Ryalls-Chepane (MA70).

Martin Hendel is the co-leader in MP40 after the first round. Photo: Justin Anderson / PDGA

International Showing

Canada’s Martin Hendel finished strong at Northwood Black for a share of the lead in the loaded MP40 division. He’s tied at 1-under par with Alan Wagner and the duo lead five players within three strokes. The MP40 field shifts to Eureka Temp on Wednesday.

In MA40, Chance Stad, also of Canada, grabbed a one-stroke lead over Ronnie Denig and Bryan Pyle. All three players had eight birdies at Wildlife Prairie Park.

Fredrik Granåsen, of Sweden, leads MP55 by one stroke over Mike Forton.

In FA65, Jane Anderson-Renton has a slightly larger lead at two strokes over Garry Hanley.