New talents on the tour
The European leg of the Disc Golf Pro Tour showcases talented athletes broadcast live for the first time and offers US Touring Pros and DGN viewers the opportunity to experience some of the most idyllic disc golf destinations in the world. Last weekend’s Turku Open in Finland was as competitive and entertaining as any US Tour event this year.
In addition to many new names in the top 10, two Innova players whose names you know well also landed on the podium. Finnish superstars Eveliina Salonen and Henna Blomroos took second and third place, both showing exceptional performances from the tee.
On the way to 1st place in the DGPT world rankings
Eveliina Salonen got off to a slow start in Turku, but she came into play in the second round. She started with 4 birdies in the first five holes and posted a hot -8 for the day, which earned her second place. Difficult conditions in the final round prevented the entire field from scoring, but Eveliina held herself together better than most. She eventually finished in second place, just two strokes behind the leader.
Eveliina led the field in fairway hits, C1 and C2 hits in regulation and strokes gained tee to green. She currently sits at No. 2 on the Disc Golf Pro Tour World Rankings for the 2024 season, less than 3 points behind No. 1. Although Eveliina has been a top FPO contender for years, it feels like she has reached a new level in 2024.
Valet parking
Henna Blomroos opened her 2024 Turku Open with a hot round, shooting a -6 back nine that was nowhere near being matched all weekend. She finished her tournament in 3rd place, her third podium finish of the season. Henna led the field in parked percentage. She was 2nd in C1 and C2 hits in regulation and 2nd in strokes gained tee to green.
Top performances of the Innova team
In the FPO, Anneli Tõugjas-Männiste played her 2nd ever DGPT Elite event last weekend, the first being just a few weeks ago in Copenhagen. Last weekend she finished 6th and in Copenhagen she finished 7th. Two top ten finishes in the first two tour events is promising to say the least. Anneli led the field in C1x Putting and Strokes Gained C1x over the weekend.
In the MPO, Niilo Hongisto also played his 2nd DGPT event ever last week. He finished tied for 5th and led the field in scramble rate. Niilo had a 121-foot throw-in for birdie on hole 4 in the final round.
Joona Heinänen achieved his best DGPT result so far last weekend, finishing in shared 10th place.
From Minnesota to Sweden
The DGPT is alternating tournaments in the U.S. and Europe over the next few weeks. This weekend, the 2024 Preserve Championship will be held in Clearwater, Minnesota. The following weekend, the 2024 Swedish Open will be held in Boras, Sweden. Many tour pros from the U.S. will travel to Europe in mid-July to compete in the PDGA major, the European Open. Follow all the DGPT action, no matter what continent, live on the Disc Golf Network. Visit Innovadiscs.com for tournament recaps, tips, Innova news and more.
