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World Championship · Disc Golf

PDGA World Championships

Disc golf's world title since 1982 — five days of stroke play, two divisions, and a field invited strictly on player rating.
✓ Last reviewed: August 2026
SportDisc golf
OrganiserPDGA
First held1982 · women's division from 1983
DivisionsMPO and FPO only — no age or amateur divisions
Field~300 invited players from 30+ countries
EntryBy player rating tier, not by a points race

What are the PDGA World Championships?

Disc golf's world title, first contested in 1982 on courses around Los Angeles and won by Harold Duvall, with an Open Women's division added the following year. It runs over five days of stroke play across several courses, with a cut to a final round and a televised lead card, and contests only two divisions — MPO and FPO. There are no age or amateur divisions at Pro Worlds.[1] [2]

SeasonPool / FormatHost cities
2025Gannon Buhr · Ohn ScogginsNokia & Tampere (FIN) — first Worlds outside North America
2024Isaac Robinson · Eveliina SalonenLynchburg, Virginia
2023Isaac Robinson · Kristin TattarJeffersonville, Vermont
2022Paul McBeth · Kristin TattarEmporia, Kansas
2026— in progressMilford, Michigan, 26–30 August
2027— scheduledPortland, Oregon, 16–20 June — Milo McIver & Glendoveer East

Recent editions — MPO and FPO champions.

How do players qualify?

By player rating, on a published tier system rather than a points race. The floor is membership, three sanctioned events in the prior year and current certified-official status. Tier 1 takes the top-rated eligible player from each country; Tiers 2 to 5 admit players by their February rating — 1020, 1010, 1000 and 990 in MPO, and 930, 910, 890 and 875 in FPO. Reigning world champions, reigning amateur and junior world champions who have turned professional, and any former world champion above the rating floor receive automatic invitations.[2] [3]

Why does it matter?

Because the rating system makes the field genuinely global and genuinely objective — the per-country Tier 1 place is what puts players from outside North America on the tee. Nokia and Tampere in 2025 hosted the first Pro Worlds ever held outside North America, where Ohn Scoggins became the oldest FPO world champion in the association's history.[1] [3]

References

  1. PDGA — Professional Disc Golf Association. Accessed August 2026.
  2. PDGA — 2026 Pro Worlds. Accessed August 2026.
  3. PDGA — 2026 Pro Worlds qualification criteria. Accessed August 2026.