Cale Leiviska and the top of the MP40 engaged in an absolute shootout on Thursday at the 2023 PDGA Masters Disc Golf World Championships.
There’s a similar theme throughout a number of the 25 divisions and nearly 900-player field in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Now, the pressure has picked up all the way down the leaderboard as Moving Day has arrived in northern Arizona. Following Friday’s fourth round, the fields will be cut for Saturday’s semifinals and the race for a PDGA World Championship tightens.
Here’s a look around the action heading into Moving Day:
Hot rounds and big jumps highlighted round two on Thursday in Flagstaff, Arizona. Twelve of the 25 divisions feature a new leader or, in the case of five of those divisions, co-leaders.
The entire field will return to the first-round courses on Thursday and here’s a look of the action heading into Round 3:
Johansen, Leiviska Stay Put; Finley Rises
Michael Johansen and Cale Leiviska kept their spot at the top of the MP40 leaderboard and Holly Finley caught fire to become a co-leader as well.
Cale Leiviska made his Masters Worlds debut on Tuesday in Flagstaff, Arizona. Photo: Justin Anderson / PDGA
There’s a four-way tie in FA50, a three-way tie in MP40 — with seven players just one stroke back — and 19 more divisions either tied or with the leader ahead by less than three strokes.
Nearly 900 players in 25 divisions kicked off Flagstaff’s first PDGA Major in nearly 20 years on Tuesday and the competition is tight as the marathon begins:
During the opening ceremonies for the 2023 PDGA Masters Disc Golf World Championships, those in attendance who competed in the 2003 PDGA Pro Worlds were asked to stand. The same request came for those who competed in the 2005 PDGA Amateur Worlds.
Throughout the overflowing room, countless stood when called upon, kicking off the return of a PDGA Major to Flagstaff, Arizona for the first time in nearly two decades.
They've battled and endured weather, fierce competition and some of the toughest courses that central Illinois has to offer.
Now it's time for the final push at the 2022 PDGA Masters and Junior Disc Golf World Championship.
Competitors will hit the course Saturday morning for the semifinal rounds after Friday's cut. From there the top four from most of the divisions will descend on Northwood Park for one last challenge: the final nine.
There are tight battles everywhere, both at the top of the leaderboard as well as near the cut for the finals to see who will get nine more holes in Peoria and who will push for a podium finish at a World Championship.
The trees of Northwood provide the ultimate test of commitment on every single shot, while Eureka Temp looms large with its length and tight OBs. Together, it’s a grueling combination that has set up a battle down the stretch in both MP40 and MP50.
Barry Schultz jumped into the lead in MP50 at Masters Worlds. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA
A few leaders began to establish themselves but for the most part, the 2022 PDGA Masters Disc Golf World Championships are wide open at the midway point.
There were six lead changes, several battles that are showing they’re going to come down to the wire and a few players that have widened the gap among the 24 divisions.
On Thursday, players will return to their opening round courses in the Peoria, Illinois area.
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.
Want to win a PDGA Amateur Masters World Championship in 2023? The work begins now. Photo: PDGA Media
In 2023, the PDGA Masters Disc Golf World Championship will be a combined event between the professional and amateur masters divisions at a site with plenty of disc golf history.
The work begins now to reach Flagstaff, Arizona, which also played host to the 2003 PDGA Pro World Championships.
To compete for a PDGA World Championship, there are a few requirements for an invitation one must meet, and it begins first and foremost with strong play on the course.
Hailey King tees off at Smugglers' Notch, which will host the 2023 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. Photo: DGPT
PDGA Major Events are the premier national and international competitions for the sport of disc golf each year, featuring the world’s best disc golfers competing for World and National Titles in multiple skill, age, and gender-based divisions. These PDGA marquee events offer any city or town the chance to host an international sporting event in their community, drawing interest and attention to the location, and generating a significant economic impact for local businesses.
As has been the case all week, there are tight races everywhere as championship Saturday has arrived. The cuts have been made and it’s time to crown more world champions.
