A thrilling, action-packed week of competition came down to a playoff in the morning for the FA1 title and just a few hours later, the MA1 crown was decided on the infamous 18th at Harmony Bends.
Virginia Polkinghorne and Ryan Monn both turned in the hot rounds of the day in their divisions as Championship Saturday arrives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
For the first time this week, Ryan Monn is on top of the MA1 leaderboard after a clean, 9-under round at Fallasburg, but the field is right behind him.
It's been a long and trying week at the 2023 PDGA Amateur and Junior Disc Golf World Championships.
More than 800 players were tested in a number of ways: Mother Nature, the courses and the strong competition that traveled to the Peoria, Illinois area from around the world.
Things heated up in the chase for a PDGA World title on Friday at the 2023 PDGA Amateur and Junior Disc Golf World Championships.
And, yes, Mother Nature played a factor as storms forced a tournament-wide weather delay. At this point, the 800-plus player field is used to it and continues to battle through.
Poor air quality from wildfires forced suspensions on Tuesday and a full cancellation of Wednesday's rounds. The Air Quality Index improved, but the weather's second punch included heavy lightning, wind and rain on Thursday, forcing even more suspensions.
(Latest update as of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 28)
After reviewing the most recent data regarding the air quality in the Peoria, Illinois area, the PDGA and tournament staff have made the difficult decision to suspend play on Wednesday for the day, resulting in changes to the schedule for the rest of the week.
This is a decision that did not come lightly, and one made with the safety of all competitors in mind.
“I feel a little nervous — it’s the last couple of rounds and the nerves start kicking in a little bit,” Sam Dodd said. “The first few rounds, you’re just trying to stay steady.
Robert Burridge lines up a shot on Thursday in Orlando. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA
Two PDGA World Champions will be crowned on Friday and as for the rest of the world titles, there's still plenty to be settled on moving day at the 2021 PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships.
Champions will be crowned in FA65 and FA70, while the remaining 12 divisions head into the home stretch on Friday before the cut to the semifinals.
And what a race to the finish line it will be in Orlando.
