A battle for the ages.

July 29, 2022 by Justin Westfall in Analysis with comments

The European Open returned with a bang last week, bringing a record crowd of over 5,500 spectators and historical finishes in both the FPO and MPO divisions. Paige Pierce became the winningest FPO player in PDGA major history, chasing down Eveliina Salonen to win back-to-back European Open titles. And in the MPO division, Eagle McMahon and Paul McBeth quickly ran away with the tournament, going shot for shot and dueling with each other until the final hole. The two players averaged nearly 30 PDGA rating points above the next closest competitor and finished 16 strokes ahead of the field. The result was McMahon’s 2nd career major win — and the highest rated major win in PDGA history.

Eagle McMahon

Eagle had not played much disc golf in the three months since the Jonesboro Open, where he dropped out during the final round after reinjuring his shoulder. McMahon admitted that he was not 100% coming into this week, and aside from the world championship next month and USDGC, he does not plan on playing again this year. Even so, he flew to Finland and did the unthinkable, slaying the course known as the Beast — and the 5-time European Open champion known as McBeast — without throwing a single forehand. Eagle averaged a 1074 event rating, the highest in PDGA major history. He led the event in strokes gained putting, finished 2nd in strokes gained tee to green, and birdied 48 of 72 holes. Eagle also led in scramble rate, converting on 6-of-10 opportunities. Not allowing himself to throw a sidearm, McMahon opted for a lefty backhand teeshot on hole 2 in each round. While he managed to card a birdie in the opening two rounds, he would go on to bogey it in round 3, and take a par in the final round. When McMahon is healthy, his forehand is arguably the best in the world, so losing three strokes to Paul McBeth on this hole was certainly a hindrance. It’s hard to state just how incredible this win is, even if Eagle were at full health and had been touring consistently it would be considered a huge achievement. To play at the pace he did for all four rounds, with Paul McBeth chasing him the whole way, is simply legendary.

Paul McBeth

For the second time in just over a year, Paul played outstanding in a major championship and came up one stroke short. Finishing 2nd in strokes gained tee to green and…