🦁 The European Open is back
Red White & Blue, Home Favorite, and Jussi's Future
Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. The disc golf newsletter you can enjoy anywhere and anytime. Like at the course, practice field, or work.
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Today’s wall-to-wall European coverage is brought to you by Powergrip USA. You have 10 more days to save 10% with code PLYRSMTGJULY22.
Let’s get into it.
The Presidents Cup
I applaud you if you decided to “treat yourself” with PPV coverage for The Presidents Cup. If not and you followed along on UDisc Live, then I understand.
Either way, the event happened yesterday (7/20) with Team USA defending their 9-time, undefeated streak. If you’re terrified of spoilers, then it’s already too late and I’m sorry.
Before the event, the Europeans were saying this was their “best chance ever” to win. Well that ship has sailed, so here are my takeaways:
The skill gap is still alive and well with USA only losing 1 out of 8 matchups
McBeast thrives at The Beast
Eagle McMahon’s putting is still top tier but throws are on the mend
Niklas Anttila is the real deal
Jussi & Discmania know how to host an event
And here’s the obligatory chant: USA! USA! USA! That’s 10 in a row for the undefeated champs!
European Open (Major)
PREVIEW (7/21-24)
If you’re a newer player, then you’re in for a treat. This Major is like no other. It’s what all aspire to be, and this year is no exception with jumbotrons, beautiful holes, and a €10k ace contest.
Imagine the biggest crowds ever in the US and double it. There will be people lining fairway after fairway, and masses moving from hole to hole to catch the action.
It already started today and goes 4 straight days on The Beast - Nokia DiscGolfPark’s modified layout and many players’ favorite course. It isn’t the longest but its technicality challenges players’ shot selection and mental stamina.
There have been many historic battles with exciting finishes here. Mostly due to the phenomenal finishing hole, which many events (e.g. Worlds 2021) take lessons from.
So get pumped for the 2nd Major of the year and hopefully you’ll be able to enjoy it on more than just UDisc Live.
2019 RECAP
MPO/ After 3 days of Ricky Wysocki, Eagle McMahon, & Paul McBeth battling on lead card, the 4th and final day is enshrined as one of the best days in the sport’s history. It started with Wysocki leading 1 stroke over McMahon and 5 over McBeth.
With thousands of Fins lining the fairways, they witnessed glimpses of McBeast clawing his way up on Hole 4. Then as the scores tightened up, McBeast mode emerged in the back 9.
He set the pace on Hole 10 and watched his competitors fail to keep up. While it wasn’t a walk-in victory, McBeth made sure no one was going to count him out ever again. This was his 5th European Open win.
FPO/ There’s not a whole lot to say, except Paige Pierce dominated. Her distance advantage is huge at The Beast with FPO playing the same layout as MPO.
Going wire-to-wire, Pierce started with a 2-stroke lead which increased to 8, then 15, and finally 17. She averaged a 992 rating with Henna Blomroos & Catrina Allen rounding out the podium.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Besides Valerie Mandujano & Ohn Scoggins not attending, Kristin Tattar is still out due to her elbow. This means Paige Pierce & Catrina Allen are licking their chops.
You’ll be able to watch live all weekend on DGN - FPO starts at 2AM EDT & MPO starts at 8AM EDT. Next-day coverage will be on DGN behind a pay wall - $10 for DGN subscribers & $20 for everyone else.
Stat That
Segment provided by PDGA STATS. Your go-to for in-depth analysis with “Inside The Numbers” & “Tour Series Talk.”
For the past 2 seasons, we’ve seen European players navigate travel restrictions on their way to the US. Now for the first time since 2019, the Americans are the fish out of water, taking on the jet lag and less familiar courses amid a grueling stretch on tour.
If a European is going to take down the European Open, my pick would be reigning European Champ and Finland’s highest-rated player - Niklas Antilla. Niklas didn’t play the PCS Sula Open, so keep your eye on him as he competes with US talent on home turf.
Random Dubs
1️⃣ Jussi Meresmaa plans to put in a bid for 2024 Worlds in Finland. There has never been a World Championship held outside of North America.
But if anyone were to pull it off, it would be Jussi. During the EO Press Conference, he discussed his intentions to pair Tampere Disc Golf Center with Nokia’s The Beast.
If this happens, it’ll be one of the best course offerings at a Worlds ever. Tampere is the same world-class caliber, and the atmosphere will be at an all-time high - as we’ll witness these next 4 days.
2️⃣ Switching off of Europe and across the other pond… At The World Games, Charlie Eisenhood from The Upshot discovered that China is a huge, growing market for disc sports.
Our sport is officially trendy alongside Ultimate Frisbee in China. It doesn’t mean much right now but with 1.4 billion people, it could be a tidal wave of growth one day.
Meme of the Week
Thanks for reading today. Get out and par this weekend!
- Charlie
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