The 2nd event in the PDGA National Tour Schedule, the Texas State Championships, was played last weekend at Round Rock, Texas. For Team Discmania's rising star Simon Lizotte the Texas States was just the 2nd National Tour of his career, after finishing on the 7th place at the highly competitive Memorial Championship just 3 weeks ago. New setting and extremely windy conditions did not scare our German wunderkind, as already after the 1st round Simon found himself sitting tied for the 4th place.
On the 2nd round Simon took the course by storm, carding an unbelievable -14 that got the initial PDGA rating of 1098 for the round. This round also remained as the best round of the tournament. Simon continued his solid game on Championship Sunday and was even able to snatch the 2nd place from the 2-time World Champion Paul McBeth.
We were able to catch a brief interview with Simon after the finals, here's what the man had to say about the weekend:
1) Great job out there! How did you feel after the last putt?
SIMON: I actually knew I was taking second after the second to last hole when Paul and I both took a 6 on the par 5. So all the pressure had already settled down and I could play the last hole without worrying about anything. After the last hole I felt great and I really felt like I did a good job. I was glad the tournament was over because it really was hard work out there!
2) Have you played on a wind like that before?
SIMON: Actually my home course is a pretty windy as well so I'm used to the windy conditions. I have played in worse wind before at a course in northern Germany directly by the Baltic Sea. I kind of enjoy the wind. It makes it so much more fun and it can be anybody's game out there.
3) What were you main discs this weekend?
SIMON: I actually only used four discs the entire tournament. Off the tee I was throwing 50% Firebird and 50% PD2. These two drivers are the most over-stable and so most predictable discs in such a wind. For shorter upshots and some tail wind tee shots I grabbed my overstable MD3s. It really all comes down to consistency so those three discs were really the only discs I threw out there. My putter is and will probably always be the P2. I made some awesome headwind putts with it and it remains my go to putter in any conditions.
4) When we can expect your first win on US tour?
SIMON: I'm still in the learning progress and I think I'm learning so much from every event. I don't expect me to win yet. I don't think anybody expects me to win but everybody knows I will do my best and when the time comes, I will take it.
5) What's your next tournament?
SIMON: Looking forward to the Glass Blown Open in Kansas!
For more about Simon and his American adventure, check out Simon's Blog!
You can also follow Simon on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. And in case you've missed it, check out the very cool Simon Lizotte feature video by Ace Line productions below:
-REINVENT YOUR GAME