Ledgestone Week is Here! Top Storylines & How to Watch Discraft’s 2026 Ledgestone Open
The Discraft Ledgestone Open presented by ZÜCA returns in 2026 as a DGPT+ event, once again bringing one of the biggest weeks in professional disc golf to Central Illinois. Since its founding in 2011, Ledgestone has grown from a local tournament into one of the sport’s premier events, known for its record-setting payouts, passionate fanbase, and electric atmosphere. As one of the Disc Golf Pro Tour’s signature stops, the tournament attracts the world’s top players, thousands of spectators, and an unmatched community of volunteers for four days of elite competition.
ℹ️ Click here to view the 2026 Ledgestone Open – Northwood Black Caddie Book
ℹ️ Click here to view the 2026 Northwest Championship – Eureka Lake Caddie Book
ℹ️ Click here to view the 2026 Northwest Championship – Sunset Hills Caddie Book
This year’s championship will once again be contested across three of the region’s premier venues: Northwood Black, Lake Eureka, and Sunset Hills. Each course presents a unique challenge, from Northwood Black’s demanding wooded fairways and punishing precision, to Lake Eureka’s iconic water carries and out-of-bounds lines, to Sunset Hills’ sprawling ball golf layout that rewards both power and accuracy. Together, the three-course rotation creates one of the Tour’s most complete tests and sets the stage for an unforgettable week of championship disc golf.
Here is how you can tune in and follow all the action this weekend…
WEATHER THIS WEEKEND
For any weather-related updates, delays, or safety information, check the DGPT Event Status Updates page.
DISCRAFT’S LEDGESTONE OPEN: FPO LOOKAHEAD
- FPO1 Feature Card: Holyn Handley, Valerie Mandujano, Silva Saarinen, & Addison Woodard
- FPO2 Feature Card: Missy Gannon, Lexi Marx, Ohn Scoggins, & Lisa Fajkus
Here’s a look at the top FPO storylines headed into this weekend…
1️⃣ The Finnish Takeover Hits Ledgestone
Finland has been the story of the 2026 FPO season, with Finnish players winning each of the last five Major and Elite Series events. Silva Saarinen has captured the United States Women’s Disc Golf Championship, the Swedish Open, and the Northwest Championship, while Eveliina Salonen added victories at the Ale Open and the European Open.
Ledgestone, however, presents a different challenge. Every previous FPO Ledgestone Open champion has come from the United States, creating an intriguing clash between recent form and event history. Saarinen, Salonen, Heidi Laine, Henna Blomroos, and Sintija Klezberga will all make their Ledgestone Open debuts, although several have previously competed on Northwood Black and Sunset Hills during past Major championships.
2️⃣ Silva Saarinen Keeps Raising the Bar
No player enters Ledgestone with more momentum than Silva Saarinen. She leads the tour with four Major and Elite Series victories this season and has won three of the last four events she’s entered. Her victory at the United States Women’s Disc Golf Championship also marked her third career Major title, with all three coming in her last five Major appearances.
The numbers continue to stack up. Saarinen is now tied for 10th all-time in Major wins with three Major victories, ranks 12th all-time in career Major and Elite Series wins with 10, and five of her last six rated rounds have eclipsed the 1000-rated mark. Despite all of that success, this will be her first Ledgestone Open appearance.
3️⃣ Valerie Mandujano: The Defending Champ
Valerie Mandujano returns to Ledgestone after surviving a dramatic three-hole playoff against Ohn Scoggins to claim last year’s title, but she’s still searching for her first Major or Elite Series victory of the 2026 season. Her campaign has remained steady, producing podium finishes at the Big Easy Open and Open at Austin while ranking inside the top 10 in average finish, podium percentage, and top-10 percentage.
History also favors experience at Ledgestone. Despite producing six different winners over the last eight editions, the event has never crowned a first-time Major or Elite Series winner, making Mandujano’s previous success at the event another statistic working in her favor.
4️⃣ The Strongest Ledgestone Field Yet?
The 2026 field is arguably the strongest in Ledgestone Open history. Nineteen of the top 20 players in the DGPT World Standings are set to compete, with only Anniken K. Steen absent from the field.
That depth stretches throughout the leaderboard. Former Ledgestone champions Holyn Handley, Missy Gannon, Valerie Mandujano, Paige Pierce, Catrina Allen, and Jessica Gurthie are all entered, while rising contenders like Rebecca Don, Kat Mertsch, Eliezra Midtlyng, and Heidi Laine add even more firepower. With proven champions, current tour leaders, and several international stars making their Ledgestone debuts, the field is as competitive as the event has ever seen.
5️⃣ Ledgestone History On Your Side
Few venues have been as kind to veteran stars as Ledgestone. Paige Pierce won here in 2019 and 2021, adding the 2019 PDGA Pro World Championship on these same courses, while Catrina Allen owns five Ledgestone titles from 2013 through 2016 and again in 2020. Both players enter the week still looking for their first Major or Elite Series podium of the 2026 season.
The list of past champions doesn’t end there. Holyn Handley won in 2024 and currently leads the DGPT World Standings, Missy Gannon captured back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023 while owning more than $23,000 in career Ledgestone earnings, Jessica Gurthie returns as the 2018 champion, and defending winner Valerie Mandujano is back after last year’s playoff victory. With so many former champions in one field, experience at Northwood Black and Sunset Hills could prove just as valuable as recent form.
DISCRAFT’S LEDGESTONE OPEN: MPO LOOKAHEAD
- MPO1 Feature Card: Gannon Buhr, Paul McBeth, Anthony Barela, & Simon Lizotte
- MPO2 Feature Card: Kyle Klein, Ricky Wysocki, Ezra Aderhold, & Jonathan Borzick
Here’s a look at the top MPO storylines headed into this weekend…
1️⃣ Gannon Buhr Eyes Three-Peat
Gannon Buhr returns to the United States after another dominant European swing, where he collected victories at the PDGA European Open and Heinola Open while recording four top-10 finishes overseas. The world’s highest-rated player (1063) now arrives at Ledgestone with six Major and Elite Series victories in 2026, the most of any MPO player this season, and has yet to finish outside the top 10 all year.
History is also on his side. Buhr is the reigning two-time Ledgestone champion and has never finished outside the top 10 in five appearances. On top of that, he is coming in fresh off of a JomezPro Series victory at the Champions Landing Open. A third consecutive victory would further cement his recent dominance at one of the Tour’s marquee stops.
2️⃣ Paul McBeth Returns to Familiar Ground
After an extended break from Tour competition, Paul McBeth returns to Ledgestone having played just two DGPT events this season, including a 3rd-place podium finish at the season-opening Supreme Flight Open. With limited starts, the 6x World Champion sits 92nd in the DGPT Powerball World Standings, making this an important opportunity to regain momentum before the PDGA Pro World Championships and rest of the season.
Few players can match McBeth’s history on these Illinois courses. In 11 Major and Elite Series starts here since 2016, he has collected seven podiums, including Ledgestone victories in 2016 and 2019, plus the 2019 PDGA Pro World Championship title. He has finished outside the top 10 just twice during that span, and after winning two Tour events in 2025 en route to earning the DGPT Comeback Player of the Year honor, Ledgestone could once again serve as the launching point for another late-season run.
3️⃣ Can Ricky Reclaim Ledgestone?
Ricky Wysocki returns to Ledgestone after picking up his second DGPT victory of the season at the Ale Open, adding to his earlier win at Discraft’s Supreme Flight Open. Few players have enjoyed more success at this event, winning three consecutive Ledgestone titles from 2020 through the shared victory in 2021 and 2022.
His consistency at these courses extends beyond Ledgestone itself. Wysocki has recorded seven straight podium finishes on the Ledgestone layouts, including the 2019 PDGA Pro World Championships and the 2024 Champions Cup. Across 10 Ledgestone starts, he owns three wins, five podiums, eight top-10 finishes, and the highest career earnings in event history at more than $43,000.
4️⃣ A Crowded Race Behind Buhr
While Gannon Buhr enters as the player to beat, several of the Tour’s biggest names are poised to challenge for the title. Calvin Heimburg is looking for his second Major or Elite Series victory of the season after winning the OTB Open and has a Ledgestone résumé that includes a 2021 title (shared with Ricky Wysocki following a final-round cancellation), a runner-up finish in 2023, and another podium in 2024.
Isaac Robinson is still searching for his first Major or Elite Series win of 2026 after two runner-up finishes this season, while Anthony Barela has climbed to fifth in the DGPT standings despite not yet finding the winner’s circle. Eagle McMahon also enters with momentum following one of his strongest performances of the year during the European swing. Add in 2023 Ledgestone champion Cole Redalen, the return of 6x World Champion Paul McBeth, and Niklas Anttila, who makes his Ledgestone debut after finishing runner-up at the 2024 PDGA Champions Cup on these same courses, and the stage is set for a marquee battle with the PDGA World Championships just around the corner.
5️⃣ Ledgestone: A History of Decisive Finishes
Recent Ledgestone Opens have rarely come down to the final hole. Seven of the event’s 10 DGPT editions have been won by at least five strokes, including each of the last three years. That trend makes Ledgestone one of the Tour’s most decisive stops, where players who find momentum often create separation rather than survive close finishes.
The combination of the scoring-friendly Eureka Temp Course and the demanding Northwood Black layout has consistently rewarded complete performances across four rounds. With another loaded field and two distinctly different course tests awaiting the players, history suggests the eventual champion may once again create a sizable gap by Sunday’s final putt.
All the action starts on Thursday, July 30th! Tune in to the Disc Golf Network and catch post-pro coverage from JomezPro all weekend.
HOW TO WATCH DISCRAFT’S LEDGESTONE OPEN:
Discraft’s Ledgestone Open presented by ZÜCA | PDGA Event Page
Official scores, tee times, PDGA Live scoring, and round ratings can be found on the official event page on PDGA.com.
DISC GOLF NETWORK BROADCAST TIMES
Live daily broadcasts from Thursday 7/30 – Sunday 8/02
- FPO Coverage begins with Tournament Central at 9:00 am CDT / 10:00 am EDT / 7:00 am PDT / 5:00 pm EEST
- MPO Coverage begins with Tournament Central at 3:00 pm CDT / 4:00 pm EDT / 1:00 pm PDT / 11:00 pm EEST
WATCH THE FIRST HOUR FREE ON YOUTUBE THIS YEAR!
As announced at the start of the season, thanks to our new partnership with Powerball, fans can watch even more disc golf for free this season! The first hour of every round will stream free on YouTube, and full Round 1 coverage is still available at no cost on Disc Golf Network. Fans can simply create a free account at www.discgolfnetwork.com and select DGN Free from the list of available options to enjoy complete round one coverage without having to enter payment information.
LIVE SCORES AND STATS
Live scores and stats will also be available on both the DGPT website and on PDGA Live all weekend.
WATCH THE PROS IN PERSON!
The DGPT and Ledgestone team are excited to invite spectators to watch the top disc golfers in the world compete for a title! From Anthony Barela launching 500-foot drives to Ohn Scoggins cashing long putts, there’s nothing quite like experiencing the biggest moments in disc golf live and in person.
🗓️ Click here to view the full Ledgestone Open event schedule!
Treat yourself or a fellow fan to an unforgettable experience and watch the world’s best compete at a DGPT event near you! Find tickets and details at tickets.dgpt.com or click below to explore options like General Admission Passes, Fairway VIP Passes, Silver VIP Passes, Gold VIP Passes, and more…
LEDGESTONE PRESS CONFERENCE:
Watch Discraft’s 2026 Ledgestone Open Press Conference on Disc Golf Network or the DGPT YouTube channel. Hear from defending champions Gannon Buhr and Valerie Mandujano, recent USWDGC winner Silva Saarinen, 6x World Champion Paul McBeth, Illinois locals Addison Woodard and Thomas Earhart, and more as they preview one of the biggest DGPT+ stops of the season.
DGPT BETTING & DAILY FANTASY GUIDE: GAMING OPPORTUNITIES THIS WEEK
Your picks are waiting! Disc golf fans now have the opportunity to engage in various gaming opportunities, including Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and regulated sports wagering. Check out NXTbet’s event analysis for the top bets and picks ahead of the weekend.
Click the button below to see winner odds, expert picks, finishing positions, and more for the 2026 Northwest Disc Golf Championship…
WHERE TO BET ON DGPT
Fans can visit nxtbets.com/playdgpt to view available gaming opportunities in their location and learn more about how to play DFS & Legal Sports Betting on DGPT events. Regulatory approval at the state level is required to offer gaming in each jurisdiction, and additional states will be added as approvals are secured.
In addition to exploring currently available opportunities, fans can read more about how to wager on the Disc Golf Pro Tour in NXTbets.com’s ultimate how-to guide. This educational resource provides information on how to research and choose a gaming platform or sportsbook, overviews the different kinds of wagering options available, explains how odds work in disc golf, and offers strategies for successful wagering.
Remember: The Disc Golf Pro Tour has strict rules governing who can and cannot bet on professional disc golf. Tour and tournament staff, volunteers, rules officials, and players are explicitly prohibited from participating in wagering. These rules help maintain the integrity of the game and ensure a safe, regulated betting environment for both fans and players. Additionally, the DGPT partners closely with IC360, a leading sports betting integrity and compliance organization that continuously monitors and analyzes betting activity across multiple platforms to detect potential abuse. To learn more about the DGPT’s gambling policy and safeguards, read the official announcement and visit dgpt.com/rules for the full policy.
DFS: Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA, and VA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-MY-RESET or 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org. NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369).
Sportsbetting: 21+ Please refer to Affiliated Operators’ T&C. Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
LIVE COVERAGE
Disc Golf Network | Subscribe
The Disc Golf Network (DGN) is the home of live disc golf. The DGN is a subscription streaming and on-demand platform built by the Disc Golf Pro Tour. Covering the world’s best players competing in the sport’s most elite tournaments. For more information on Disc Golf Network offerings, check out this article → Check out the Disc Golf Pro Tour’s 2026 live media plan.
👉 What are the subscription tiers offered by the Disc Golf Network?
👉 Active PDGA members receive a discount on their monthly DGN subscription
👉 How to upgrade or downgrade your Disc Golf Network subscription
POST-PRODUCTION COVERAGE
JomezPro | Subscribe
JomezPro will continue providing free next-day lead card coverage with chase card inclusions for the FPO and MPO divisions at all DGPT (U.S.) and PDGA Pro Major events. At the European Open and the USDGC, post-pro coverage will first be available to DGN Pro subscribers (next-day) before being made available to DGN Standard subscribers and YouTube subscribers later.
