Originally published at: https://discgolf.ultiworld.com/2022/02/24/ultiworld-disc-golf-fpo-power-rankings-2022-preseason/
Welcome to the 2022 preseason edition of the Ultiworld Disc Golf Power Rankings. Around these parts we like to ask, “What have you done for me lately?” It’s a tricky task without any meaningful tournaments in the books yet, so like a fortune-teller on the Las Vegas Strip, we cast our gaze into the crystal ball to bring you this edition of the rankings. Will fortune favor the bold? Or is this just an exercise in futility? (Hint: the Finns are probably ranked too low.)
This week, the field descends on the Mojave Desert. The Las Vegas Challenge feels in some ways like a preseason event despite awarding full DGPT points. It will be the first competitive action for most of our golfers and is the only tour stop to feature three courses. I expect to see our competitors shaking off the rust and winging it a bit out there at Wildhorse. The courses forgive a bit of rust when the wind is down. When it’s up, well… Either way, the three courses primarily test your ability to throw varying degrees of hyzers, hit your marks, and account for the skippy fairways and greens.
Last year, Paige Pierce and Catrina Allen lapped the field, but the tournament wasn’t decided until the 72nd hole. This year, I hope to see more contenders down the stretch. Adding the full cast of 970-rated players from Europe should help on that front. Plus, the wind is down in the most recent weather forecast, increasing scoring opportunities across the board.
Notes on the Top 10
The ‘recent unweighted’ category below includes the last 15 rounds from Elite Series, cumulative stroke play tournaments in 2021: Throw Pink Championship, Music City Open, Green Mountain Championship, MVP Open.
[table id=217 /]
Other Quick Hits
Will 2022 be Deann Carey’s (#15) breakout season? She notched a Silver Series win at the Resistance Discs Open last year and also took down a big A-tier at the Carolina Clash. Her short game looked sharp at the All-Stars event.
I’ve also got my eye on Ella Hansen (#18) and Maria Oliva (#20) to ascend the ranks. It will be Oliva’s first full season on tour, and Hansen looks to improve on a stellar rookie campaign in 2021.
Jessica Weese (#11) has been rated between 941-952 since 2015, and in the five years of UDisc statistics, her C1X putting has never broken 60%. Though a very proficient two-way player, I think she needs to hit between 65-70% this year to hold off the up-and-comers.