The 2025 Champions Cup is officially in the books, and while the tournament delivered high-caliber play and dramatic swings, the biggest headlines didn’t come from birdies or bogeys—they came from a controversial call involving Kristin Latt.
A Major Moment… for All the Wrong Reasons
Let’s start with the topic everyone’s been tweeting about. On hole 16 of the final round, Kristin Latt, fresh off a string of birdies, was called for a stance violation by a PDGA marshal. The infraction? A forehand throw that appeared to include an incidental tap of the disc before release.
Latt contested the call, but the ruling stood—and what followed was a storm of questions around timing, consistency, and the role of officials at the game’s highest level.
“Not the first time I’ve found myself at Champions Cup in a controversial situation involving the PDGA.”
She was referring to a previous incident where her daughter was not allowed to accompany her during the round—despite doing so in earlier rounds. Combined with this latest call, it’s fair to ask: Why does this keep happening to Kristin?
The Issue With Consistency
Latt emphasized the need for fair play, but stressed that rules should be applied evenly across all cards:
“If you apply rules like this, they should be applied equally to everyone, on every card, at all times.”
And she’s not wrong. With just two PDGA marshals on site, only players on lead and chase cards tend to get real-time scrutiny—raising concerns about fairness and transparency for the rest of the field.
Even more concerning: When Latt asked the marshal if he was sure the disc was still in her hand, he admitted he “couldn’t focus on two things at once.” That’s not ideal when you’re handing out major penalties.
Imagine an NFL ref calling a touchdown and then admitting, “I didn’t see if he caught the ball—I was looking at his shoes.”
A Pattern of Questionable Timing
This isn’t an isolated moment. Gannon Buhr’s time violation. Nikko Locastro’s European Open penalty. And now this. The PDGA is increasing its on-course officiating presence, but the lack of consistency and timing continues to erode trust.
Latt ended her statement with this telling line:
“This response was concerning… when such significant decisions are being made alone.”
Pro Drew Gibson also weighed in, noting that he received an incorrect ruling at the event due to a caddy book error. While it was reportedly addressed, questions remain about how PDGA policies are actually implemented in real time.
The FPO Recap: Gannon’s Glory, Silva’s Surge, and Latt’s Late Push
Despite the controversy, the FPO field delivered fireworks. Holyn Handley’s podium streak ended, while Silva Saarinen stole the show with a bogey-free, 10-under opening round to take a five-stroke lead.
But by moving day, the lead pack had condensed to familiar names: Silva, Kristin Latt, Missy Gannon, and Paige Pierce.
Gannon surged on Saturday with a 10-under round, grabbing the lead. On Sunday, Latt and Pierce mounted a furious comeback—Paige even tossing in an eagle. Suddenly, it was a one-stroke game.
Then came hole 16. You know the rest.
Missy Gannon held on to win her second major title. While the win was a career milestone, it’s unfortunately been somewhat overshadowed by the penalty drama.
MPO: Isaac’s Inevitable Major Moment
On the MPO side, Paul McBeth opened strong with a 14-under round but would end only 15-under and T20. Sullivan Tipton led midway through the tournament, but Isaac Robinson once again took over down the stretch.
Isaac grabbed the lead early and never looked back, staying composed—even after missing a C1 putt on 14. Deep birdies on 15 and 17 locked in his one-stroke cushion heading into 18, where he took the par and sealed his fourth career major title.
Anthony Barela finished solo second, while Andrew Marwede grabbed third—his best major showing to date.
Final Thoughts: Great Disc Golf, Murky Officiating
The 2025 Champions Cup gave us a lot to celebrate—and just as much to debate. Elite-level play? Check. A PDGA officiating controversy? Unfortunately, also check.
Officials play a vital role in growing the game, but this weekend underscored a critical need: fair, consistent, and transparent enforcement—especially when a single ruling can change the course of a championship.
Want more? Our full podcast breakdown drops tomorrow on The Spit Out.
Bonus: We’re hosting the first-ever Disc Golf World Tournament at our home course! Big payouts, player packs, and a post-event party.
