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2019 Las Vegas Challenge

2019 Las Vegas Challenge

Calvin Heimburg takes questions after round three of the Las Vegas Challenge. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen

HENDERSON, Nev. – Calvin Heimburg hasn’t blinked. Now, he’s on the cusp of his first career PDGA National Tour victory.

Catrina Allen kept a level head and added to her lead at the Las Vegas Challenge. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen

HENDERSON, Nev. – On paper, Catrina Allen’s Las Vegas Challenge performance thus far has resembled a weekend vacation at the local amusement park.

The Minnesota native’s fairway hit rates have undulated: 78 percent in round one, 61 percent in round two, 84 percent in Saturday’s third round; circle 2 in regulation (67 percent, 39 percent, 83 percent) has been a loop-de-loop; circle 1x putting (0 percent in round three) a death-defying drop ride.

Andrew Presnell, shown here during round one of the Las Vegas Challenge, provided the highlight reel ace during round three. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen

Calvin Heimburg has yet to blink, but big names are on his tail heading into the final round of the Las Vegas Challenge. And it's a tale of two Allens in the Open Women's division. This time tomorrow we'll have our first PDGA National Tour Champions of 2019!

Calvin Heimburg mixed accuracy with aggression during round two of the Las Vegas Challenge. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen

HENDERSON, Nev. – Calvin Heimburg and Josh Anthon stood underneath the one bit of neon here that is reminiscent of the nearby Las Vegas Strip, as Wildhorse Golf Club’s brightly hued logo hovered over the entrance of this week’s venue. The duo were about to make their exit after sharing a day that started together on the chase card and ended – still together – at the top of the Las Vegas Challenge leaderboard.

Catrina Allen's 994-rated hot round catapulted her into first place at the Las Vegas Challenge's halfway mark. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen

HENDERSON, Nev. – Frigid conditions here this week have found Catrina Allen sporting a Queen of the North-style look, a red down vest with a fur-lined hood that has combined fashion and function. It’s so fashionable, in fact, that as she stood on hole 13’s tee yesterday at Wildhorse Golf Club’s Innova Course, she started to reminisce – and quiz her cardmates – about watching America’s Next Top Model.

Paul McBeth hits the practice basket at the Las Vegas Challenge. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen

Steve Hill covers the action from day 2 in the desert, as Calvin Heimburg and Catrina Allen take the lead at the Las Vegas Challenge. Plus news on Nate Sexton's shoulder, and who had the shot of the day?

Anthony Barela, shown here at the 2018 Utah Open, scorched Wildhorse Golf Club on Thursday morning to take an early lead at the Las Vegas Challenge. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen

HENDERSON, Nev. – At just 19 years old, Anthony Barela packs immense potential into a tall, lanky frame. And he delivered on that potential here at Wildhorse Golf Course Thursday morning, launching the 2019 PDGA National Tour season with a 15-under par 44 to take an early lead at the Las Vegas Challenge.

The 1078-rated effort was the best statistical round of Barela’s young career.

Sarah Hokom jumped out to an early lead at the Las Vegas Challenge. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen

HENDERSON, Nev. – Snow blanketed Wildhorse Golf Club’s fairways Thursday morning, and while the dusting made for idyllic scenery, it wasn’t ideal for disc golf. Open Women’s competitors at the Las Vegas Challenge made last-minute shoe swaps, huddled under hoodies, and geared up for battle with the elements.

Sarah Hokom, though, wasn’t going to let a little snow spoil her first round playing for a new team.

Playlist: Round Recaps

Playlist with all of the daily round recaps brought to you by the PDGA's YouTube channel.

Las Vegas Challenge Tournament Director Jeff Jacquart (left) has been at the helm for two decades.

HENDERSON, Nev. – Flashback to January 2000. It was just beyond the turn of the millennium, the Y2K scare not yet a distant memory. Next Friday topped the box office for a second straight week by netting a shade over $8 million, while Christina Aguilera’s “What A Girl Wants” spun on repeat on the nation’s airwaves. The St. Louis Rams, under the guidance of a former grocery bagger-turned-NFL MVP, were just about to win their only Super Bowl in franchise history.

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