At every stop on the Pro Tour, generally speaking, the greater FPO conversation centers around the same three disc golfers: Kristin Tattar, Paige Pierce and Catrina Allen. And it makes sense, as they’re the three best FPO disc golfers in the world – of course they’re in contention each week.
If the last few Elite Series events are any indication of where the conversation is headed for the remainder of 2022, though, there’s a good chance Ella Hansen features HEAVILY in it …
In the five Elite Series tournaments that have taken place this season, Hansen’s finished in the top 10 in three of ‘em. After a sixth-place performance to kick off the DGPT schedule at the Las Vegas Challenge, the next two Elite Series events proved somewhat lackluster for Hansen, with her turning in lukewarm 17th- and 27th-place finishes in Waco and Tyler, Texas …
Remember: We wrote THIS back in early February – kind of lame.
Then, good gravy:
- She finished third at the Jonesboro Open.
- She finished third at the Dynamic Discs Open.
And wouldn’t you know it, today, she sits atop the leaderboard at the Santa Cruz Masters Cup, three strokes ahead of Ohn Scoggins with a one-over-par 110 through two rounds …
The Masters Cup final day FPO lead card will feature Ella Hansen (+2) Ohn Scoggins (+5) Maria Olivia (+7) and Jessica Weese (+7)
— PDGA Stats (@PDGAStats) May 14, 2022
Ella is 2nd in strokes gained tee to green, 3rd in strokes gained putting and carries a 3 stroke lead going into the final round
There are a few KEY things to point out about Santa Cruz this weekend, though:
- It’s a Silver Series event.
- Pierce skipped this tourney entirely.
- Tattar’s finally back with family in Estonia.
- Allen shot a disastrous nine-over-par 63 on Saturday.
And you know what?
NONE of that matters: The Masters Cup is Hansen’s for the taking.
From the beginning, Ella’s been known for her innate ability to bomb the disc. This tournament, given the tight, wooded lines and hardpan greens that make DeLaveaga Disc Golf Course brutal, it’s her accuracy and putting that’ve led her to where she is here on Sunday morning …
Yesterday @bagelpowered was the only player to birdie hole 15. She was also the only player to birdie hole 16. 💪
— Disc Golf Pro Tour (@DiscGolfProTour) May 15, 2022
Watch Round 2 lead card coverage from the #SCMastersCup here: https://t.co/Sl5UvD0obu pic.twitter.com/5s2YxApt2G
Through two rounds, she’s first in fairway hits (44%) and first in circle-two in regulation (44%), as well – strong work off the tee, obviously. Her short game’s also on. When she gets the disc to circle two, she’s hitting at a 29% clip – second-best in an FPO field that’s 27 golfers deep.
Naturally, she’s first in the FPO field in birdie percentage with a 22% conversion rate.
So, will she be able to put a bow on this thing?
Eh, that’s where things get a bit blurry …
It’s one thing to chase from behind – it’s yet another to lead the pack. This is uncharted territory for Hansen. She’s only been in disc golf for three years, but one thing’s for certain: Without a SINGLE A-tier victory, the nerves of Santa Cruz’s “center stage” might get to her …
We certainly hope they don’t, though: It’s Ella’s time to shine.
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