Since the Open Women’s division was first included in the PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships in 1983, only two women have been dominant enough to have taken down the world title five times. Elaine King ran off four in a row from 1991-1994 and added her fifth in 1997. Juliana Korver took over and ran off four in a row herself from 1998-2001, adding her fifth in 2003. And now, 16 years later, Paige Pierce has added her name to the list, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest of all time as the world champion in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and now, 2019.
Paul McBeth embraces his wife Hannah after securing his fifth PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championship crown Saturday in Peoria, Illinois. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
Lake Eureka was the setting for a classic battle to end the 2019 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships in Peoria, Illinois. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
It was high fives all over Peoria Saturday, as a final round duel and some serious putting gave way to the crowning of two PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Champions! Steve Hill recaps a wild final day in the last installment of Chain Reaction from Illinois, complete with interviews with the champions and runners-up.
Paul McBeth only carded one birdie on the back nine during round four of the PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships, but he leads the event heading into Saturday's final round. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
PEORIA, Ill.—After an exhausting Pro Worlds moving day where he battled Emerson Keith and the Northwood Park Gold layout, Paul McBeth couldn’t help but slip in the “F” word numerous times when recapping his 4-under par 60 Friday afternoon.
The gallery was out in full force for round four of the PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships at Northwood Park in Morton, Illinois, Friday afternoon. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
What more could you ask for heading into the final round of Pro Worlds? Steve Hill recaps an exciting moving day in Peoria where Paige Pierce ascended at Sunset Hills and Paul McBeth and Emerson Keith traded barbs at Northwood. Plus soundbites from Ricky Wysocki and Eveliina Salonen and the latest injury news.
After shooting the round of 9-under par, Paige Pierce is now tied for the lead heading into the finals. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
“I have butterflies right now, actually and this is the first round that I’ve felt the nerves,” said Paige Pierce after turning in a 9-under par 52. Starting the fourth round of the 2019 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships six off the lead, Pierce’s hot round forced a three-way tie between herself, Catrina Allen, and Eveliina Salonen heading into the finals.
Paul McBeth leapfrogged Emerson Keith in the middle of round three of the 2019 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships at Lake Eureka. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
Eveliina Salonen powered her way back to the top of the leaderboard during round 3 of the 2019 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
Emerson Keith leaned on his forehand during round two of the 2019 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships Wednesday afternoon in Peoria, Illinois. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
PEORIA, Ill.—The question was about if the impending deliver of his first child was going to send him home early from the 2019 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. But in reality, Emerson Keith didn’t really need to answer it. He’d already done that with his play Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m in the top 10 so I’m here to stay,” Keith said.
Catrina Allen laces a drive on hole 18 at Sunset Hills to finish with a birdie. Photo: Matt Gregoire, PDGA
The second round of the 2019 PDGA Pro Disc Golf World Championships saw the Open Women’s division leave the narrow fairways of Northwood and head into the great wide open of Sunset Hills. On a day significantly windier than usual, Catrina Allen played it nearly to perfection.
