Reality check: Not many disc golfers can win Worlds

Three different writers man the Green Splatter Twitter account.

It was me, however, who penned the below, pre-Worlds predictions:

• The FPO Podium – 1) Kristin Tattar, 2) Paige Pierce, 3) Catrina Allen
• The MPO Podium – 1) Paul McBeth, 2) Ricky Wysocki, 3) Gannon Buhr

Not exactly precarious picks, right?

Before I’d even fired off the tweets, I knew what was headed my way: Reply after reply about the complete spinelessness of Green Splatter prognostications. And wouldn’t you know it, that’s exactly what happened. Most lacked creativity (or punctuation), but they arrived, nonetheless.

so bold

— Tron, Jimbo Tron (@Jimbotron19) August 30, 2022

Here’s the harsh reality of Worlds, though …

Next to NOBODY is capable of winning it.

You can throw out “sleeper” picks until your face turns blue, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s not happening: Matt Orum, Drew Gibson, Joel Freeman, Emerson Keith, Garret Gurthie, etc.

It’s even less likely on the FPO side of things: Lisa Fajkus, Ella Hansen, Maria Oliva, Hailey King, Kat Mertsch, etc. It’s clearly improving, but such is the lack of parity within the FPO field, that – even 12 strokes back of Tattar after the first round – Allen can still podium …

And it wouldn’t surprise a soul.

If you’re not an elite-level disc golfer, it’s near IMPOSSIBLE to win Worlds.

Here’s why …

This is a five-round major.

That means five rounds of world-class drives. That means five rounds of world-class approaches. That means five rounds of world-class putts. Maybe not for an entire five rounds, but close …

Yes, the occasional Pro Tour underdog might sneakily steal a win every now and again. But nearly every time, by the third round, a slow-starting McBeth or Allen are thundering up the leaderboard, en route to making somebody’s Sunday a living nightmare – you’ve witnessed it.

Now give them (or whomever it might be) another TWO ROUNDS to get comfortable, learn a course and string birdies together, and it’s not long before they’re back in the driver’s seat.

Seriously, are you telling me DoubleG is going to hit floater putts in headwinds for a week? Do you really think Anthony Barela can keep the disc inbounds come crunch time five times over? Or that a newbie pro disc golfer like “Ella Enchanted” can calm her racing heart on Saturday?

They’re freak talents: It’s possible …

But it’s not likely.

If you’re needing proof of this, consider the fact that McBeast and Pierce are going for their sixth World Titles. Meanwhile, Rick and Cat are looking for their third. And while we’re at it, Juliana Korver is technically on the hunt for her sixth, as well – she’s no longer “elite,” though.

The SAME people (Ken Climo – cough, cough) win this thing over and over (and over) again.

They’ve been here before. They know how to win. Given the time, that’s what they’ll do.

The Barsbys and Shues of the world make for legendary stories, but they’re outliers. To date, I have no earthly idea what was in the water back in 2018 at Smugglers’ Notch — so bizarre.

So, poke fun at the vanilla, cookie-cutter predictions all you want …

Venture too far beyond them, however, and you’re bound to get burnt.

Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

Editor’s Suggestions:

• Review: The Innova Croc
• Review: ‘The Holy Shot’ (watch it before Worlds)
• Emporia: Why I want Paul McBeth to win Worlds

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