Gannon Buhr Repeats as the 2025 DGPT Ken Climo Player of the Year
At the conclusion of each Disc Golf Pro Tour season, the DGPT recognizes the players who defined the competitive year through its End-of-Season Awards. Among these awards, the Ken Climo Player of the Year distinction stands at the forefront. Named after one of the most influential figures in disc golf history, it represents the pinnacle of season-long excellence within the MPO field.
For the second consecutive year, that honor belongs to Gannon Buhr, the undisputed winner, taking 1st place in both media and player voting this year.
A Season of Dominance: Gannon Buhr’s 2025 By the Numbers
Buhr’s 2025 campaign was a remarkable follow-up to his groundbreaking 2024 season (where he tied Paul McBeth’s single-season win record of nine). He collected six DGPT victories across the year, reinforcing himself as a dominant force on Tour. Three of those wins occurred at DGPT+ events, continuing a streak that stretches back to the previous season. Over the last two years, Buhr has won seven out of eight DGPT+ tournaments, a level of sustained success rarely seen in the modern era.
Becoming a World Champion
The defining moment of his season came in Finland, where he claimed his first PDGA Pro World Championship title this summer. Already a three-time Major champion heading into the event, Buhr achieved a goal he had long spoken about—winning Worlds. This victory not only secured his fourth Major title but also fulfilled one of the career milestones he had been publicly aiming for since rising to the sport’s elite level.
His win at Worlds also pushed him past the half-million mark in PDGA career earnings, eventually concluding the year with $570,963. That total places him third on the all-time career earnings list, ahead of icons such as Ken Climo, Dave Feldberg, Barry Schultz, and current Tour star Calvin Heimburg. His 2025 season earnings of $164,751 made him the highest-earning professional disc golfer of the year.
Back-to-Back DGPT Points Champion
Buhr also claimed the DGPT Points Championship for the second year in a row, earning the number-one position in the DGPT World Standings by a wide margin. Consistency was a defining theme of his season. Across twenty-one Tour events, he finished on the podium thirteen times, placed inside the top ten eighteen times, averaged a 4.4 finishing position, delivered an average event rating of 1057, never missed the top 20, and cashed at every event he played.
These performances were backed by elite statistical production where he led the Tour across nearly every major category:
- 1st in Birdie Percentage (53.98%)
- 1st in C1 in Regulation (52.8%)
- 1st in C2 in Regulation (72.26%)
- 2nd in Parked Percentage (12.37%)
- 4th in C1X Putting (90.06%)
- 4th in Scramble Rate (55.89%)
- 5th in C2 Putting (35.35%)
- 6th in Fairway Hits (78.46%)
Historic Performance at The Preserve
One of Buhr’s signature moments came at the 2025 Preserve Championship, where he posted an event rating of 1088, the highest event rating in MPO DGPT history, while he powered to an incredible eleven-stroke victory.
Chasing History: Buhr Ties All-Time Rating Record
Another storyline followed him throughout the year as he pursued Paul McBeth’s all-time PDGA rating record of 1062 from 2020. In September, Buhr tied that historic mark, becoming only the second player in history to reach it. Although he did not surpass the record before the season concluded, matching it is a significant achievement in today’s increasingly competitive landscape and stands as the highest rating of his young career.
Additional Highlights From Buhr’s 2025 Season
Buhr’s season also featured several notable side accomplishments. He captured gold at the World Games in Chengdu, China, alongside Missy Gannon in mixed doubles competition, won the DGPT All-Star Challenge with Rebecca Cox, claimed the putting title at the 2025 PDGA Pro Worlds, and once again represented Team USA in the Presidents Cup in a victorious effort.
Recognizing the 2025 Runner-Ups
While Buhr earned the sport’s top honor, the Player of the Year race included strong seasons from the two runner-ups, Calvin Heimburg and Paul McBeth.
Heimburg finished second in combined voting after finally claiming the first PDGA Pro Major of his career at the European Disc Golf Festival in Tallinn, a victory sealed with a clutch circle-edge putt on the final hole to hold off Buhr. He also capped his season with his first DGPT Championship title and ultimately finished second in the DGPT World Standings.
McBeth, who finished third in combined voting, delivered a strong season highlighted by two DGPT victories, including a DGPT Playoff win at the Green Mountain Championship. He ended the year fourth in the World Standings and was recognized as the 2025 DGPT MPO Community Champion AND the 2025 DGPT Comeback Player of the Year, proving that he remains among the world’s elite competitors.
Looking Ahead
Looking back at the 2025 season, it’s clear that Gannon Buhr is just getting started. At only 20 years old, he’s already a World Champion, a four-time PDGA Pro Major winner, and one of the most consistent players on Tour. With so many achievements already under his belt, fans can’t help but wonder what records he might chase next—perhaps even the all-time Major wins list.
