🐯 McBeast from the East
McBeth Mimic, All-Stars Preview, and NOT Financial Advice
Hello and welcome to the 2nd to last week of the off-season.
Congrats to Simon, Natalia, & Emmett Lizotte! The 2047 World Champ was born this week.
Let’s get into it.
Jacky’s Debut
Jacky Chen is a Taiwanese professional disc golfer that might be a big deal. And to prove that he just arrived to the US for the first time ever.
In his tournaments before the States:
He finished 2nd with an average rating of 1024. This 1st tournament was 3.5 years ago in Niigata, Japan.
He beat Philo Brathwaite, Nate Perkins, and James Conrad to win the 2020 Asia Open. He averaged 1040 golf to top the reigning world champ by 3 strokes.
He won the 2021 Taiwan National by 13 strokes. This put his current rating at 1029.
Chen played 78 other MPO players this past weekend at the 2022 La Mirada Golden State Open (B-Tier) in CA. He did not perform to expectations and ended in 49th place.
Whether you chalk it up to culture shock, jetlag, or a language barrier, Chen still has much to prove.
He’s playing in the Wintertime Open this weekend and will make his DGPT debut at the LVC. Hopefully he can warm up and really show the world what he can do.
DGPT All-Star Event
PREVIEW
The DGPT is hosting the top 12 players in both MPO and FPO this weekend in Tucson, AZ. Drawing from the Ryder Cup & NBA All-Star, each div will split into 2 teams competing for a cash bonus on top of the $1k appearance fee and 4-night resort stay.
The teams will be drafted by captains on live stream tomorrow at 8PM ET with play starting on Friday.
Friday: Skills Competition (putting, accuracy, and distance)
Saturday: Doubles (3 pairs from each team)
Sunday: Singles (head-to-head play)
And yes, the top 3 players in the world are opting out of this event. Paul McBeth, Ricky Wysocki, & Kirstin Tattar will not be showcased this weekend.
McBeth had too little notice and will be on a family vacation. Wysocki wanted more time to practice with his new discs before LVC. And Tattar couldn’t extend her trip to the US 2 weeks earlier.
LAST YEAR RESULTS
The 2021 event was completely different: 2 rounds of doubles then singles to crown one champ from MPO & FPO.
Paul McBeth & Kona Panis won the inaugural event. But after seeing the flaws in format, the DGPT flipped it to be a team focused event this year.
PLAYER TO WATCH
MPO/ Eagle McMahon is coming off a shoulder injury from filming a JomezPro video in October. He’s been rehabbing in the off-season but plans to limit his FH throws. He’s even skipping the DGPT Texas events (Waco & TX states) due to them needing a lot of FH shots.
Now McMahon’s obviously no slouch at BH, but he loves his hyzers. We’ll be treated with seeing him throw more BH angles in place of his FH hyzer.
FPO/ The 2X reigning World Champ, Catrina Allen, is fresh off her new DGA sponsorship. She’s bagging new discs, and it’ll be obvious to see where her confidence lies when she’s on the putting green.
The only free coverage will be on Thursday (draft) and Sunday (singles). So if you’re Mr. Moneybags and have a DGN subscription. Then invite your friends over to watch the All-Stars square off.
THE Ageless Wonder
Sorry Ulibarri, but JohnE McCray is the real ageless wonder on tour (age 50 this year). Unfortunately he suffered a heart attack while in the lead at the Barnett Park Championships on Saturday.
In emergency surgery, McCray had 3 stents placed and was slowly weened off the ventilator. He’s now breathing on his own but still being cared for at the hospital.
Sending good vibes to the McCray family. And if you’d like to send more then please click the donate button on his website.
Fresh Plastic
Congrats to Paul Ulibarri on his 5-year extension with Discraft as their Team Captain. And to celebrate, they released his highly anticipated Captain’s Raptor the same day.
The beef cake version of the Raptor will be made once a year. So don’t worry if you’re skeptical about the $30 disc. It’ll have a new stamp next year in case you change your mind.
Random Triples
Insight from the Approachable Podcast: If you’re between MA1 and MPO, then take the money. Once you accept cash, the PDGA and IRS will consider you a pro. So those winnings will be taxable income, BUT now any equipment or travel become deductibles. (Not financial advice 🙅♂️)
Trying to get into the 500ft club? Don’t bother. Throw 350ft accurately, and you can probably score -13 at your local courses.
“I think I can win 7 of the next 15 Worlds.” - Paul McBeth
Meme of the Week
Thanks for reading today. Be an all-star and get your game on this weekend!
- Charlie
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