Missy Gannon capped an historic week with her win at the 2021 Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship. Photo: DGPT

In the wide-open spaces of Winthop and the tight woods of Hornet’s Nest, Missy Gannon was smooth, calm, and collected.

It added up to a stellar finish to an already strong 2021 season.

Gannon started strong and walked it in on Sunday to take down the 2021 Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship presented by Guaranteed Rate on a historic day in the sport.

Missy Gannon smiles as she waits to tap out on hole 18 on Sunday. Photo: Hayden Henry / PDGA

In the past eight days, Gannon collected $36,000 in winnings on the course, capped with a record-breaking $30,000 check for the DGPT season finale. It added up to the single season record for payout in the FPO division.

“I knew I had it in me,” an emotional Gannon said moments after tapping in the final putt. “It’s just amazing.”

Sarah Hokom and Heather Young, the No. 9 seed, tied for second at 1-under par, four shots back. Hailey King, the 2021 PDGA National Tour series champion, finished fourth.

Sarah Hokom and Heather Young tied for second place in Charlotte. Photos: Kevin Huver / PDGA

With her signature Circle 2 putts and a calming, deep breath before every shot, Gannon mastered all the elements to finish the 2021 season, which also included a PDGA Elite Series win at the DGPT – Des Moines Challenge, a DGPT Silver Series win and the inaugural Throw Pink Women’s Disc Golf Championship in Rock Hill.

Gannon was the only player in either division to have a bogey-free round at Hornet’s Nest.

Missy Gannon kept it clean all week at the Hornet's Nest. Photo: Kevin Huver / PDGA

She started off that way on Sunday, cashing in three putts from Circle 2 on the way to a 5-under front nine.

“I’m not really nervous, or it’s channeled in a way that just really helps me commit to those putts fully,” Gannon said. “This is what I love to do, especially putting. When I’m on the green, I just feel so confident and so ready to put it in the basket.”

Anything can happen at Hornet’s Nest, but Gannon’s poise from that fast start made the back nine a formality. She offset two bogies with birdies, including a three on 17, setting up a celebratory walk down 18 surrounded by friends to cap an historic day and week.

And season.