👊 Random Draw Tuesday - July 16, 2024

Random Draw Tuesday 🤜🤛

Hello and welcome. This is Charlie from The Players Meeting. 

Every week, I handpick the 5 best things I saw in the past 7 days. These could be storylines, highlights, memes, McMahon’s favorite kombucha, or even news.

But no matter what, it will always be about disc golf AND only what I find interesting.

Let’s get into it.

#1 👊 

The stats couldn’t have said it better. Without skipping a beat, Kristin Tattar is officially back after spending 11 weeks off the Tour.

This was her first time at the Krokhol Open and the World’s #1 course. Aside from her dominating stats, the event gave us the matchup we’ve been waiting for: Silva Saarinen vs. Tattar.

It proved Saarinen’s 5-win DGPT streak was no fluke, and their heads-up battles will continue for years to come. After FPO’s soak fest, Ricky Wysocki did what he does best: Win when in contention.

Coming in 6 days early, Ricky Wysocki got tons of practice in and called his shot. After two record days, he walked away with it despite the Czech Republic’s Jakub Semerád threatening a comeback.

#2 👊

For pros skipping the Europe Swing, the 42nd Kansas City Wide Open was the perfect pit stop. The Q-Series took place on the almost “too hard” Bad Rock Creek course, especially in the weekend’s 108 heat index.

And to make things harder, Parker Welck had his touring van stolen Friday night in Kansas City, MO. Using borrowed discs, he stayed within 7 strokes of the lead but then hit some good luck the night before the final round.

• After realizing his car was stolen, he found paperwork on the ground belonging to another stolen Kia.

• He got in touch with the owner, who somehow recovered his own vehicle.

• Inside the other Kia were Welck’s missing bag and discs.

He recovered his bag and ended 4 strokes behind Drew Gibson, who won in a 2-hole playoff against G.T. Hancock. You can watch how Gibson won his first A-Tier since surgery on Gatekeeper & Hyzer Media.

#3 👊

You can now pick your jaw up from the floor.

a) If you don’t follow Clint Easterly (Standstill Master), then you’re missing out.
b) If his 501’ one-legged throw didn’t blow you away, then maybe his 604’ standstill will.

While one-leg drills are nothing new, Easterly’s latest accomplishment demonstrates how efficient one can get with just their throwing arm. If you want an ounce of this immense control, then watch his standstill tutorial and older Seabas22 one-leg drills.

#4 👊

It’s my favorite time of the year. Finland’s Christmas in July is when the courses are immaculate, the crowds are huge, and the competition fights for a Major title.

This year the festivities are at an all-time high in preparation for Europe’s biggest event: 2025 Worlds. Starting Thursday, these 4 rounds preview what’s to come and how Nokia will handle our biggest stage.

For the first time, the European Open will split rounds on both the Tampere DiscGolfPark (The Monster) and the Nokia DiscGolfPark (The Beast).

While The Beast is mostly unchanged (except for the butchered Hole 16), The Monster will test another set of skills. It’s ~500m longer, mostly wooded, and focuses on landing zones.

There’s a ton of hype around this event, and the field will be the strongest it’s ever seen. Here are who to watch for:

• Kristin Tattar is the clear favorite to add another Major to her already 6 titles. If anyone challenges her, then it’ll be one of the more interesting storylines out of the Europe Swing.

• Ricky Wysocki is pushing himself into the convo for “The Big 4”, and this is his chance to get over his 7-year Major drought.

• Gannon Buhr became the highest-rated player last Tuesday (1051). He’s experiencing a bunch of firsts this week.

• Nate Sexton played his way into qualifying for this event with his 32nd finish at Krokhol.

• Väinö Mäkelä podiumed in his 3rd event on Team Innova. He knows Tampere better than most.

• And it wouldn’t be an EO without mentioning Paul McBeth, the recent birthday boy (July 9th). The 34-year-old’s history here runs deep, and he’s still pushing hard to match Ken Climo’s Major-win count of 18.

#5 👊

Forget the Paris Olympics; patriotism starts a week early. Before two Major winners get crowned, the festivities start off with a bang tomorrow.

In less than 24 hours (Wednesday 6 ET), the Presidents Cup will pit Team Europe against Team USA for the 12th time. USA will attempt to continue their undefeated streak.

The format includes two back-to-back 9-hole rounds at Nokia. The first is individual best shot, and the second is match play.

Live coverage of the Presidents Cup and EO is only available for DGN premium subscribers. This is the one time of year when pros are treated like royalty and rock stars.

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw this week!

- Charlie