Originally published at: https://discgolf.ultiworld.com/2021/03/13/waco-annual-charity-open-panis-three-strokes-clear-of-field/
Kona Panis. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen – DGPT
The Disc Golf Pro Tour arrived in Texas for their second stop of the year. Both fields kicked off at Brazos Park East Friday for the Waco Annual Charity Open. Heavy woods with small technical lines make this course competitive from start to finish.
- Kona Star Panis led the round with a 1004-rated, 6-under par 61. Her driving precision was on display while gaining 7.2 strokes from tee to green, the best of the current top five by more than four strokes. After being dominant off the tee, she struggled a little on the putting green going 10/14 from Circle 1X while hitting C1 off the tee on 11 holes. If Panis is able to continue limiting mistakes like during her single bogey round, that three stroke padding she currently holds over second place may be hard to make up.
- The highest-rated FPO player ever, Paige Pierce, had a rather uncharacteristic day on the course. She was able to land herself in second with a score of 3-under par while accounting for three bogeys and one double-bogey. This course doesn’t play as a large bomber field, but Pierce was able to make up strokes in her putting with 3.54 strokes gained on the green. Her C1X putting was dialed in going 11/12 resulting in a 91.67% and a division best strokes gained inside 33 feet.
- After starting the first round with back-to-back birdies, Valerie Mandujano made sure to stay in the hunt. She finished the round tied with Pierce for second and similarly had a hot round on the greens. Her C1X putting was 83.3% but she was also able to hit a big C2 look.
- One of the biggest moments from round one seemed to be as the feature card was finishing out. Catrina Allen had an eagle run on 18 that hit the chains dead center and spit out. That shot would’ve tied her with Pierce and Mandujano for second, but she stays in lone third with a score of 2-under.
Statline
Waco seemed to be quite the challenge for the field on opening day. Only four holes saw the average under par, leaving the majority of the field shooting even at best. Keep your eye on hole 4, because this 441-foot par 4 is very tight and technical. The hole averaged +0.81 over par and could start separating the field going into the second round.
Heard
“It’s ok. I’m not mad about it but I have a lot more in the tank than that for sure. A couple of mis-releases and it leads you out of position out there in the back 9. I think I played pretty well out here in the wind, the start of the round was a bit rough, but I saved par on most of those holes.” – Paige Pierce, on her first round.