Ultiworld Disc Golf Power Rankings: Post-GBO [May 4, 2016]

You know who's at the top, but what about the rest of the pro field? We rank them so you don't have to.

May 4, 2016 by Steve Hill and Robert Leonard in Rankings with 0 comments

Welcome to the first installment of the Ultiworld Disc Golf Power Rankings, where we’ll break down the Top 20 Men’s Pro Open and Top 10 Women’s Pro Open field every week.

First up, we’ve got post-Glass Blown Open rankings, which find no surprises at No. 1 but some intriguing options in the top five. Come for the sweet table, stay for the hard-hitting analysis.

Love ’em, hate ’em, or just want to rage? Feel free to address your concerns in the comments. And…go!

1. Two losses in a row isn’t enough to knock Paul McBeth off the catbird seat. If he makes it three this week at the Konopiště Open, then we’ll talk.

2. Ricky Wysocki knocks on the champ’s door as often as the guys peddling solar in your neighborhood, but no one’s home. He’s the chalk pick at this weekend’s Kansas City Wide Open, but we’re looking forward to his next National Tour tilt with McBeth a few weeks from now in Santa Cruz.

3. Simon Lizotte knocked off McBeth two weeks ago and placed 6th at GBO, but he’ll skip off for a EuroTrip and we won’t see him again until Worlds.

4. The best name in disc golf is ascending, as Eagle McMahon proved last year’s GBO performance was no fluke with a fourth place finish last week. Prediction: He tops this list at some point in 2016.

5. Philo Brathwaite has had a great start to 2016, winning in Vegas, contending at the Memorial and finishing 6th in Emporia. Will Kansas City be his breakout victory?

6. He’s only competed twice this year, but both times Nate Doss showed up with Top 10 performances against strong fields. Kansas City has been good to him, so he could be on the rise after this week.

7. Our rule at Ultiworld Disc Golf: Win an NT, and you’re automatically in single digits on the Power Rankings. At least, that’s our rule for this week. Welcome to the list, Cam Todd.

8. Nate Sexton led the Memorial going to the final round and tied Lizotte and McBeth in Texas before losing in a playoff. He is one tournament win away from being a top five player.

9. Be right back, going to start a “Bring K.J. Nybo to America” Kickstarter campaign.

10. He’s been a road warrior to start 2016, and has two Top 10 NT finishes to his name, but we want to see some more long-term consistency out of Paul Ulibarri before moving him up the list.

11. Always a threat to win, Nikko Locastro is still looking for a major victory this season.

12. His defense at the Memorial never saw him in contention and he has yet to notch a W this year. But would it surprise anyone if Jeremy Koling came out and blew the field away in Kansas City?

13. Power Rankings, for the most part, are a “what have you done for me lately?” game. And Will Schusterick has struggled out of the gates in 2016.

14. A Southern Nationals stalwart, Matt Orum has strung together back-to-back Top 10 finishes after struggling late at some early season events. When he gets hot, look out.

15. Southpaw Alert: Devan Owens struggled a bit at the Memorial but showed well at La Mirada and tied for fourth at the GBO. Could this be the guy who wins in KC and makes the jump?

16. Fact: We like our lefties in bunches. We also think strong beards should be higher on the list, so look for Zach Melton to make a quick rise if he finishes near the top at KCWO.

17. We’d love to see Miles Seaborn tour nationally and get a little higher on this list, as he’s a pretty well-known secret with breakout potential.

18. With an 11th place finish at the Nick Hyde Memorial, 19th at the GBO, and plans to hit a majority of the NT circuit, Jared Roan cracks the Top 20.

19. He’s only played one event since La Mirada and won’t re-emerge on the NT scene until Santa Cruz, but Steve Rico has 100 career victories and remains 1022-rated.

20. Another regional pro we won’t see much of until the Disc Golf Pro Tour, Steve Brinster is another solid vet capable of a top five finish at any given tournament.

On the Bubble: Dave Feldberg, Bradley Williams, Zackeriath Johnson, Cale Leiviska, Michael Johansen

1. Lost amid McBeast mania: Catrina Allen hasn’t lost this year and is crushing the field in the process. It’s time to recognize her dominance.

2. Paige Pierce has all the tools but hasn’t been able to put together a consistent NT performance this season.

3. Madison Walker has had a great start to 2016, capped off by a third place GBO finish. She could be on the verge of a major breakthrough win.

4. Not only did she recently set the women’s world distance record, but Jennifer Allen has finished third and seventh in her two NT appearances.

5. Valarie Jenkins is the third-highest rated woman in the world for a reason. She’s only competed once this year, but is scheduled to play in Kansas City.

6. An injury will sideline Sarah Hokom until the Beaver State Fling in June.

7. A multi-time world champion, Des Reading had a great weekend in Emporia, tying for third. Like many on this list, she’s one event way from jumping into the top three conversation.

8. Jessica Weese had a good start to 2016 but has recently been injured. She’s signed up for Kansas City. Will she be healthy?

9. The current U.S. Women’s champion has had a tough start to 2016, with withdrawing from the Memorial and finishing 13th at the GBO. She’s not scheduled to play big events until Ledgestone. Will Hannah Leatherman turn it around?

10. Who is Jessica Hill? A name on the rise who has cleaned up at lower-tier events before a ninth place GBO finish.

On the Bubble: Paige Bjerkaas