The 2023 OTB Open presented by MVP Disc Sports concluded with thrilling action as Paige Pierce claimed her third consecutive victory in the FPO field, while Emerson Keith triumphed to secure his first-ever Elite Series win in the MPO field at Swenson Park in Stockton, California.
Paige Pierce demonstrated her dominance throughout the tournament, leading from start to finish. She shared the hot round with three other FPO players in the first round and followed it up with an impressive 12-under performance in the second round, which gave her a comfortable four-stroke lead heading into the final day. Although Pierce didn't replicate her earlier hot round, she managed to maintain her lead, finishing the event at an outstanding 25 strokes under par.
Reflecting on her performance, Pierce expressed relief and acknowledged areas for improvement, stating, "Today wasn't really a great day out for me on the course. My putting could have used some improvement." Despite her slightly lower performance in the final round, Pierce's strong start, particularly with six birdies on the front 9, allowed her to secure the victory and make history as the only FPO player to win the OTB Open three years in a row.
In the MPO field, Emerson Keith emerged as the champion after a tightly contested battle. Isaac Robinson led after the first round, and Aaron Gossage held the lead following the second round. However, Keith climbed up 21 places on day two with an impressive 12-under round, earning him a spot on the lead card for Championship Sunday. With just one stroke behind Gossage, Keith showcased tremendous composure, blocking out distractions and executing his shots flawlessly.
Keith remained neck and neck with Gossage until Hole 13 when a double bogey by Gossage combined with Keith's birdie propelled Keith into the lead. Gossage struggled to regain momentum and ultimately fell out of contention after a double bogey on Hole 17. Meanwhile, Gannon Buhr, starting the final round from the 5th card, mounted an impressive comeback with a series of birdies. However, a bogey on the final hole prevented him from overtaking Keith's lead.
Entering Hole 18 with a comfortable lead, Keith executed a flawless drive, allowing him to secure a par and claim his long-awaited first Elite Series win. Delighted with his accomplishment, Keith expressed his relief, saying, "It really just feels like 'Finally.' I've been close a lot, but I always fall a little bit short, and I was finally able to pull through and get the job done."
With the conclusion of the OTB Open, the West Coast swing of disc golf tournaments will continue with the upcoming Beaver State Fling and the Cascade Challenge, two exciting Silver Events over the next two weekends.
