Ultiworld Disc Golf Power Rankings: Post-Masters Cup [May 24, 2016]

Just when we thought professional disc golf couldn’t get much more exciting, the “Steady” Ed Masters Cup delivered a classic finish that rivaled the Konopiště Open’s dramatic ending just two weeks prior.

The common denominator between those events? Both resulted in Paul McBeth being bested by a longtime rival. This time, though, is there any doubting who should be atop the Ultiworld Disc Golf Power Rankings?

Ricky Wysocki has clearly grown into the Latitude 64 plastic he transitioned to last season and has brought a fierce mental game to recent competition. Case in point: There were two huge moments at the Masters Cup – McBeth canning a 60-foot putt right after Wysocki gained some momentum with his own 100-footer, and Wysocki blowing over the top of the basket late to relinquish the lead – that would have caused lesser golfers (and, perhaps, a Wysocki of old) to crack.

Instead, he blasted back with “great big putts,” as Gregg Barsby called them, to seize victory from McBeth and secure the top spot in this week’s rankings.

How the rest of the list shook out, though, got a bit tricky. The Professional Disc Golf Association National Tour’s current West Coast swing has seen a few names take a couple weeks off and others rise to the occasion, so things get a bit murky near the bottom. Still, big moves by Paul Ulibarri and Paige Bjerkaas found them flying up the board, and a couple new players were introduced, too.

We know you have opinions. Let us know what you think in the comments.

MPO Power Rankings: Rank Player Change Prior Dropped from rankings: (14), Will Schusterick (17), Zach Melton (19), Zackeriath Johnson (20) 1 Ricky Wysocki +2 3 2 Paul McBeth - 2 3 Simon Lizotte -2 1 4 Karl Johan Nybo - 4 5 Eagle McMahon +3 8 6 Jeremy Koling +4 10 7 Paul Ulibarri +4 11 8 Nate Doss -2 6 9 Philo Brathwaite -2 7 10 Gregg Barsby - 11 Nate Sexton -2 9 12 Seppo Paju +1 13 13 Nikko Locastro +2 15 14 Jared Roan -2 12 15 Steve Rico - 16 Cam Todd -11 5 17 Devan Owens +1 18 18 Bradley Williams -2 16 19 Eric McCabe - 20 Drew Gibson -

1. After getting the McBeth monkey off his back with a huge Masters Cup finish, Ricky Wysocki has earned every bit of this top ranking.

2. Paul McBeth hasn’t lost four times in a row since March 2014. His next four finishes: 1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st.

3. Disc golf fans have just about two weeks to scrounge through the couch cushions in search of the coin for a trip to the European Open. A Wysocki, McBeth, and Simon Lizotte showdown looks to be epic.

4. Oh, K.J. Nybo will be there, too. Drool.

5. Minus an injury-ruined Wintertime Open, Eagle McMahon hasn’t finished worse than fifth place on tour this season. He’s only 18.

6. He’s not quiet on the course, and he’s no longer quiet on these rankings, either. Jeremy Koling is putting together a strong season.

7. Paul Ulibarri shot a blazing 11-under par 48 on the DeLaveaga Golf Course to climb to sixth at the Masters Cup.

8. Bonus points to Nate Doss for having his junior grant winner out to caddy for him during the final round of the Masters Cup. A classy move by the seasoned veteran.

9. Philo Brathwaite‘s 13th place Masters Cup finish was his lowest in two months.

10. Welcome back, Gregg Barsby. We need more of your energy on tour. Infectious.

11. Nate Sexton is the top individual fundraiser for this weekend’s St. Jude Disc Golf Charity Invitational, so he has some good karma coming his way.

12. First and second place finishes the last two weeks in Europe keep Seppo Paju relatively safe in the rankings.

13. Nikko Locastro‘s last three events: 22nd place, 1st place, 16th place. We’ll let the roller coaster ride continue by kicking him up one spot in the rankings as those around him either also struggled, or simply did not play recently.

14. Jared Roan dropped a bit in the rankings, but his pants game was on point at the Masters Cup as he busted out the fuschia for his Sunday best.

15. It’s a shame we won’t see Steve Rico tour more this season, as he continues to push the younger players on the pro circuit with his consistent play and ability to scramble when needed.

16. Cam Todd came back to Earth with some bad bounces at the Masters Cup, but his arm can still hang with the big boys. Look for him to bounce back when the National Tour picks back up at the Beaver State Fling.

17. Devan Owens struggled to an even par weekend, but he has the tools and has been solid on the road this season.

18. No Masters Cup for Bradley Williams, but he continues to roll up wins in Texas and should make for a fun watch on the Disc Golf Pro Tour this summer.

19. Eric McCabe may be more career man than road warrior at this stage of his career, but his ninth place finish in Santa Cruz proved the 2010 World Champion has still got it.

20. As disc golf’s version of Scott Van Pelt, Drew Gibson has a mix of style and power that makes for good viewing.

On the Bubble: Zach Melton, Will Schusterick, Zackeriath Johnson, Matt Orum, Miles Seaborn

FPO Power Rankings: Rank Player Change Prior Dropped from rankings: (8), Hannah Leatherman (10) 1 Catrina Allen - 1 2 Paige Pierce - 2 3 Valarie Jenkins - 3 4 Paige Shue +5 9 5 Madison Walker - 5 6 Jennifer Allen -2 4 7 Des Reading -1 6 8 Sarah Hokom -1 7 9 Nicole Bradley - 10 Zoe Andyke -

1. Catrina Allen was simply on a different level than the competition at the Masters Cup. I feel like we can probably just leave this comment and swap out the tournament name each week.

2. Paige Pierce has tremendous power off the tee, but it cost her a few strokes this weekend as her shots turned over early.

3. The highlight of watching Valarie Jenkins in Santa Cruz was not her throwing – which was excellent – but rather the patience and care she displayed in explaining disc golf to some spectators who were new to the sport.

4. Paige Bjerkaas moves up the board about as quickly as she steps and makes her throws, which is quick. Don’t blink.

5. Madison Walker got back on track with a sixth place Masters Cup finish.

6. Jennifer Allen racked up local wins the last couple weekends but is not signed up for another big event until Worlds.

7. Des Reading will be back in action at this weekend’s Des Moines Challenge A-tier.

8. Even though she wasn’t playing, Sarah Hokom was at the Masters Cup and said she is set to resume throwing this week as she rehabs her shoulder.

9. She doesn’t get away from the West Coast too often, but Nicole Bradley showed well the last two weeks with third and fourth place finishes.

10. Fourth place at the Daisy Chains Women’s Global Event tournament and eighth at the Masters Cup brings Zoe Andyke to the list.

On the bubble: Lesli Todd