The 2018 PDGA National Tour has had Eagle McMahon’s name all over it. McMahon took down wins at the Las Vegas Challenge and Glass Blown Open before a fifth place finish at the Masters Cup last month. This past weekend McMahon fought a tough field and the elements to win the 2018 Beaver State Fling.
McMahon and teammate Simon Lizotte were at the top of the leaderboard from the start, but it was McMahon surging ahead in the final two rounds to continue his strong showings in 2018.
McMahon Stays Out of Trouble
The weather shifted back and forth between beautiful sunny days to windy and rainy throughout the three day event at the famed Milo McIver Disc Golf Course.
McMahon began the tournament with a 51 (-10) to put himself in the lead by a shot after the first of two rounds on Friday. As the play moved to the East course, McMahon had to battle very wet conditions and finished the day in a tie for second.
Saturday’s Round Three saw occasional rain showers return forced the entire field to play smart. A steady round ended with McMahon one shot behind in second place as Lizotte led the way.
Sunday brought a new day, but the same soggy weather. McMahon was joined on the lead card by Lizotte, Garrett Guthrie, and Drew Gibson. The powerful card felt heat from the chase card as everyone seemed to turn it up a few notches with just 18 holes to play.
McMahon played well to start the round with five birdies through the first nine holes. For the remaining holes McMahon had to fend off the rest of his card, but also Paul Ulibarri who was quickly racking up the birdies himself. The lead was typically around one stroke as the holes counted down.
Thanks to a bogey free round, and continuing to play smart, McMahon held off the rest of the field to take home the win by two shots over Ulibarri.
In addition to the bogey free final round, McMahon carded just two bogies through the 72 hole tournament.
Lizotte Finishes in Fifth Place Tie
Simon Lizotte had a little momentum on his side after taking down an A-Tier event last weekend in Oregon, and nearly saw the winning ways continue at the Beaver State Fling.
The first- and third-round leader, Lizotte, sniffed the top spot of the leaderboard throughout the tournament, but one mistake too many proved to be the difference.
The final round was a roller coaster for Lizotte as ended the tournament in a tie for fifth place, five shots behind McMahon.
Team Discmania Results
1. Eagle McMahon (-31)
T5. Simon Lizotte (-26)
T24. Grady Shue (-20)
T30. Colten Montgomery (-18)
T36. Nate Perkins (-14)