The Usual Suspects - Portland Open

We're back at a brand new course for the next installment in the Disc Golf Pro Tour. This time it's in Portland, Oregon for the Portland Open. Last years iteration was cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic and was not put back on the calendar, like some others, later in the year. The first Portland Open in 2019 was won by Drew Gibson in a playoff with Eagle McMahon, who both tied at 27 under after the final round. Simon Lizotte comes in looking to improve on his 3rd place finish here in 2019 as well as his 13th place finish at his first event of this year, the OTB Open. It's another deep field with everyone from Ricky Wysocki, Calvin Heimburg and Paul McBeth to Nate Perkins and Brian Earhart realizing that the further we get into the season the more important these points are becoming. With everyone seemingly chasing down Calvin and Ricky in the points standings it's becoming harder and harder to take these weekends off. 

Like I said previously, for the second time in consecutive DGPT events we are at a brand new course. Each one seemingly tries to one up the last. With the new OTB Open course measuring in at over 11,500 feet the new Portland Open course bests that by nearly 1200 feet. The course at Glendoveer Golf Course measures in at 12,696 feet with 3 holes measuring in at, or over, 1200 feet and another just shy of 1000. With this being played on a ball golf course there is a fair amount of hazards scattered around for players to get in trouble in, some of which surround the greens. Despite this the course sets up to favor bombers that can stay out of trouble. Many fairways are lined by OB on one or both sides of the fairway, so whoever can keep it in play will have a leg up on the rest of the field. There is a smattering of trees scattered throughout the course but shouldn't cause too many issues, despite some playing guardians to a few baskets. As previously stated, the long arms should have a field day on this course but touch off the tee will continue to be important. 

Drew Gibson: Prototypical strong arm that we want at this course. He hits 80% of his fairways and has only a 9.3% OB rate so he can keep it in play and won't be robbed of strokes off the tee. If he can continue to improve his putting and build upon his win last week he will continue to be in contention throughout the weekend.

James Proctor: While not a household name, James finished 10th in the first Portland Open back in 2019. This will only be his 3rd appearance this year but he finished T15 at the OTB Open and 2nd last weekend at the Masters Cup. Looking at his last full year of competition he hit the fairway at a 64% clip but was 21st in scrambling, so if he gets in trouble he tends to save himself well. 

Nate Sexton: Nate comes into the weekend sitting at 37th in DGPT points and 34th on the National Tour. While not a banger he is a solid player who ranks 21st in fairways hit and top 20 in greens in regulation. He tied James Conrad for 5th at the 2019 event and needs to build on his 17th and 11th place finishes he has at the only two professional events he's played this year. 

Kevin Jones: KJ has had, what seems like, a slow start to the season but he is sitting at 11 in the DGPT standings and 3rd in the National Tour standings. Despite this he has not won a tournament yet this year but has multiple top 5s but it feels like he is on the cusp of breaking out like he did late last year before winning the Tour Championship. He is currently ranked 33rd in fairways hit at 73% but is top 10 in C1 in regulation and 12th in C2 in regulation. 

James Conrad: JC seems to always be just outside the discussion of best player on the tour with Ricky, Calvin, McBeast and Eagle taking that spot currently but he is quietly having as good of a year as he did in 2019 when he finished 6th on the DGPT and 3rd on the National Tour. He tied for 5th in this same 2019 event and is top 10 in almost every putting category and you know what they say. Drive for show, putt for dough. 

NEW ADDITIONS

While you're here check out our new line of branded apparel. We have a wide variety of colors and sizes to choose from. In addition, be sure to check out the newest additions to Discmania's active line: the Astronaut, Rockstar and Shogun are all in stock! If that's not enough for you we have new stock of Emac Judge's starting at $8.99, as well! Take a look around and see what we have for you.