Originally published at: https://discgolf.ultiworld.com/2022/04/14/ultiworld-disc-golf-mpo-power-rankings-champions-cup-edition-april-14-2022/
Disc Golf’s newest major starts today, and the springtime visit to Georgia has the potential to set the tone for the rest of the season. So far, no one has separated themselves from the pack. Drew Gibson, Paul McBeth, and Ricky Wysocki have claimed the three Elite Series crowns so far this season. Chris Dickerson owns the Silver Series, going 2/2 in his starts in 2022, and Albert Tamm won in Tallahassee this past weekend. Each of these players has shown moments of brilliance and occasionally left us scratching our heads.
Will one of the five, already-crowned players step up and put their stamp on the season by winning the Champions Cup, or will we see another new winner? If you’re like me, you’re all about the chaos and want to see as many fresh faces on the podium as possible.
So with disorder in our hearts and with surprises in our eyes, let’s try and bring some unassailable and objectively true order to things with our Power Rankings.
Methodology: We combine an algorithmic objective ranking with subjective ballots submitted by UWDG staff. The algorithm uses a standardized scoring model to compare elite events, awards competition, and cash bonuses, and features a decay function that gradually phases out past results.
Read notes and stats on the top 10 and others in the field with an Ultiworld Disc Golf subscription.
Notes on the Top 10
The ‘recent unweighted’ category below includes the last 10 rounds from Elite Series, cumulative stroke play tournaments in 2022: Texas State Disc Golf Championship, Waco Annual Charity Open, Las Vegas Challenge.
[table id=234 /]
Field Notes
Thomas Gilbert (#12) limped out of Texas after finishing 16th at the Open at Belton and DNF’ing at Texas States. Otherwise, Gilbert has been a top 10 finisher at every event he has played this season. This is Gilbert’s best and most consistent play in some time.
Casey White (#13) makes his triumphant return to the Power Rankings following a 9th place finish in Tallahassee. Tom Brown Park is a course that sets up well for his game. White could challenge the top at W.R. Jackson and wants to remind people why he was king of the youngsters for a bit at the beginning of last season.
Chris Clemons (#18) has cooled off a bit after a the hot start to his season but remains 12th in DGPT points. As a lefty and sidearm specialist, he may be a sneaky pick for a strong showing at Champions Cup. His best finish to date at the IDGC is 17th.