2016 Pro Worlds

[Pbmercil]

In other words, "stop bothering me, Smashboxx media hacks!" is how I interpreted that. And rightly so. Want to ask Nikko what's in his bag? Invite him to a weekly podcast, or ask when he's not right in the middle of playing for the World Championship. Would likely get a more amenable response, as Nikko has done WITBs before.

Not very often. Ian @ CCDG has asked him a bunch of times and he's said no.

 

[Zphix]

Congrats to Ricky on this win.

He's been my favorite player since I got into disc golf a little over a year ago. Really smooth approach to playing the game and his putting is godly.

I'm looking forward to a few more years of McBeth vs. Wysocki! Glad to see they are in friendly competition with one another.

 

[@iDiscGolf]

That $10,000 winners check don't hurt either!

 

[onemilemore]

They said in the 3rd round broadcast that they had asked, and Nikko declined, saying it was "personal". WTF???



Nope. Brunswick, OH. Learned on the oldest course in OH, same as the Jenkins family.



Val just played smarter golf and kept it inbounds. Almost as good a skill to have as knowing the caddy book...

Regarding Nikko's bag: He told me he throws "pieces of plastic" when I asked. Saw him throwing some FBs, Rocs, a Culverin and I believe a *DS, but he is technically sponsored by Daredevil. So I would speculate - emphasis on SPECULATE - that maybe he doesn't want to do a full ITB because there's a mix and maybe not a ton of it is Daredevil.

The whole native of SC thing is tricky. He lists it on his PDGA page and they announce it along with him at the event.

For Val, just so so steady. You won't be able to tell in the post-produced video - the angle just doesn't capture it like being there in person - but her shot to the island green on 16 was INSANE. One of the best disc golf moments I've ever witnessed. Everyone in the crowd expected her to lay up with the huge lead, and she's like, nah, I got this. Such an authoritative stamp on the win.

 

[DiscFifty]

It's the Kaepernick(sp?) move, and they do it everytime the camera comes to them. I'll refrain from saying what they look like (it's not complimentary).

I know...at first I was like wth am I seeing. I still don't get the need to act like that in front of a camera unless the need to stand out is that strong internally.

 

[DiscFifty]

Love him or hate him, Nikko Locastro had a great tournament until this last day. And I was very impressed with those long anny flex shots he uncorked. If he gets his putting down... he could be a "contendah"...

Agreed! He's starting to get in my radar much more. Was very impressed with his overall play. Definitely needs to get his putting down and be much more confident with it.

 

[gcr_russell]

Regarding Nikko's bag: He told me he throws "pieces of plastic" when I asked. Saw him throwing some FBs, Rocs, a Culverin and I believe a *DS, but he is technically sponsored by Daredevil. So I would speculate - emphasis on SPECULATE - that maybe he doesn't want to do a full ITB because there's a mix and maybe not a ton of it is Daredevil.
.

Im going to agree with your speculation. He did the same thing last year with MVP. Got a mixed bag small sponsorship, threw their discs a little early in the season in small tournaments, never could be seen throwing one again and also never let anyone see his full bag the rest of the season.

I was curious to see what he was able to do with at least a few DareDevil discs this year, but since those first few events I cant be sure I've seen him throw any in any footage hes been in. Too bad too, because they seemed to be working pretty well for him. Im a true believer that any highly skilled player can achieve the same results with discs of every brand while there is so much great stuff out there from everyone.

 

[Flick Maniac]

Didnt they say this whatever tropical fruit guy (Mango mango?) wad caddying for Nikko at least during round 4/5 or sth and he is some kind of mental coach guy. Seemed to help a lot. But alas, in the end lost confidence in his putting. He needs also to nail down one style (even on a bad day, you gotta commit to that choice and not start wondering if the grass was greener on the other side... and then vice versa again on the next bad putt day ad infinitum. that will eat up confidence just like forever guessing between putters will too)

Round 2 he was driving with that glow/white firebird flex shot like 5 holes in a row. Hit the island in the final 9 too which was pretty impressive too.

I like that they talk about the discs players are throwing but at times it seemed especially the 2nd commentator was so much in love with Trilogy discs that it was bordering on fanboyism. Tell me again about the BT Harp why dont you?

 

[Flick Maniac]

Oh, and about Paul/Ricky forehand. European Masters final round hole ~13ish, the one where its straight for a long ways, line of trees on the left whole way, right side has more room until the trees curve to the left to create a narrow gap to get trough to the green and the pin is a little to the right. Paul blasted a perfect forehand for a lone tap in birdie when Ricky and Eagle both went backhand for some godforsaken reason. Eagle is no wimp FH either as we saw on the final hole of the semis yesterday.

 

[jvphobic]

In other words, "stop bothering me, Smashboxx media hacks!" is how I interpreted that. And rightly so. Want to ask Nikko what's in his bag? Invite him to a weekly podcast, or ask when he's not right in the middle of playing for the World Championship. Would likely get a more amenable response, as Nikko has done WITBs before.

Media hacks? Very classy, Mr Message Board Warrior.

Nikko has been on the podcast in the past. Nikko has a fine relationship with us. He is not sponsored by many of companies he throws and probably doesn't want to give them advertising. My guess is that he has a mixed bag sponsorship with Daredevil.

And AS the media it is our job to report on what he throws if he likes it or not. It is his prerogative to not tell us when we ask an hour before the round, even if every other player does.

 

[araytx]

Val just played smarter golf and kept it inbounds. Almost as good a skill to have as knowing the caddy book...

And it helps getting a couple birdies along the way, especially parking the island hole.

Didnt they say this whatever tropical fruit guy (Mango mango?) wad caddying for Nikko at least during round 4/5 or sth and he is some kind of mental coach guy. Seemed to help a lot. But alas, in the end lost confidence in his putting. He needs also to nail down one style (even on a bad day, you gotta commit to that choice and not start wondering if the grass was greener on the other side... and then vice versa again on the next bad putt day ad infinitum. that will eat up confidence just like forever guessing between putters will too)

Round 2 he was driving with that glow/white firebird flex shot like 5 holes in a row. Hit the island in the final 9 too which was pretty impressive too.

I like that they talk about the discs players are throwing but at times it seemed especially the 2nd commentator was so much in love with Trilogy discs that it was bordering on fanboyism. Tell me again about the BT Harp why dont you?

I've always liked hearing the pros disc selection during coverage. It's just like in stick golf them telling us when the golfer is using a wedge or which iron, etc. Like the commentators, I am impressed with how accurate Ricky is when throwing his Harps -- FH or BH. In the last two events I recall him missing his mark with a Harp once -- the last playoff hole of the Majestic when he clipped that branch off the tee and missed the island and everything. Of course he followed up that OB by banging the 65' putt and went on to win the event when Nate missed from 20'.

 

[dehaas]

As far as a current ITB with Nikko, I'm just interested to see what a top level pro would choose when they're not restricted. I'd agree, whatever mixed bag daredevil sponsorship he has is probably the reason for not doing one.

It's funny that a few of you guys said he needs to clean up his putting. Back when he looked to be the next top pro in like 2008 and 2009 his putting was top notch. He's got a USDGC under his belt. I like seeing him still compete at a high level, if he can still do it consistently it'd be a lot of fun to see him battle it out with Paul and Ricky.

Maybe with gateway putting out some new plastic blends and kind of an image overhaul it would be good for both to rekindle that relationship.

 

[AndyJB]

Congrats to Ricky on this win.

He's been my favorite player since I got into disc golf a little over a year ago. Really smooth approach to playing the game and his putting is godly.

I'm looking forward to a few more years of McBeth vs. Wysocki! Glad to see they are in friendly competition with one another.

Ricky is the best player in the world but "smooth" is not how I would describe his throwing style.

 

[discNDav]

Val, Val, Val. ... I don't know if she's been out practicing while Nate has the kid and the brewing, but congrats to her to be able to do it again.

The kid? Can anyone expand on this?

 

[MrGlass01]

What a stellar tournament for us! Great coverage all week by smashboxx and the jomez crew as well. Our boy onemilemore did great commentating and the ultiworld articles were also great.

Ricky: from the start he had his mojo working and never lost it. Just impressive to shoot like that all week and keep the mistakes at bay. Truly a great performance and he has proven once again to be the guy to beat in 16.

Paul: never gave up. HE was off a bit but still brought it hard and again showed us all why him and Ricky are the two best on the planet today. I was pulling hard for Paul this week. His accuracy is what killed him. It really seems like this is a two horse race from here on out. Gonna be some stellar disc golf going forward this season. I'm thinking that the beast is stirring and Paul is going to be even more motivated to get back to dominance, but Ricky is not gonna back down either.

Nikko: man what a surprise his play was. His anny flex drives all week were an amazing sight to behold. His putting man that putting for Nikko. He clearly is a world class putter. But as Paul stated the longer he takes to putt the worse the results and I think it showed to be true. When he was in it was quicker and more confident. When he was rattled he took way longer and I think he began to think too much instead of letting his stroke do the work. His composure was pretty good as well. Through out the week I found myself rooting for Nikko. I hope he can work out his confidence issues and get to putting like he is capable of and more consistently.

All things considered I loved this tournament. Thank you to everyone that made the coverage possible! It is fun watching the game I love grow up!

 

[araytx]

Wysocki 1X Dagger sounds good. or the 1X Raptor Harp.

Dagger is already a Feldberg signature disc, and Harp is Westside. Though both have been done before.

I'd guess that his Sockibomb Ballista and Sockibomb Compass will be the new 1X's, since those are both Latitude 64 discs. He actually clinched it with his Compass drive to the circle on the 4th hole of the final 9 (actual hole #12) when everyone else was throwing fairway drivers.

 

[lyleoross]

Congrats to Ricky, he's really stepped it up this season. While my go to short over stable is the Rhyno, if I really need the disc to turn, or I'm playing in a hurricane, the Harp is the disc. I'm not surprised that Ricky is having so much success with it.

 

[Jay Dub]

I remember paul saying he was a sidearm dominate player when he started in his video AMA.

Paul has an excellent FH with huge distance off the tee. But right now you see Paul mostly using his sidearm off the tee on hyzer lines with very OS discs. He'll often use backhand anny lines instead of using forehand hyzer lines for upshots.

Ricky seems to use BH or FH on any line, often doing the opposite using an anny FH or anny BH when you'd think a normal hyzer line (especially upshots and shorter drives off the tee) is the scouted shot. Thats what I think is fun to watch.

He's the evolution of DG, where you can do any shot: BH/FH ect on any line. previous champs? not so much.

Dave Greenwell was known for his bag of shots. Any shot you can think of he did it like it was the only shot he practiced.
But he never won the MPO Worlds

 

[lyleoross]

Media hacks? Very classy, Mr Message Board Warrior.

Nikko has been on the podcast in the past. Nikko has a fine relationship with us. He is not sponsored by many of companies he throws and probably doesn't want to give them advertising. My guess is that he has a mixed bag sponsorship with Daredevil.

And AS the media it is our job to report on what he throws if he likes it or not. It is his prerogative to not tell us when we ask an hour before the round, even if every other player does.

That's what I think of when I think about you and Terry, hacks.... By now, I know you guys know better than to listen to anything anyone here says. Actually, compared to most news reporters, you guys are definitely more factual and truthful, what's with that?

IMO, Nikko has a number of strategies he uses to try and gain advantages. One is that he keeps his bag a secret. He always has. It isn't personal, it's a tactic. It might be a worthless tactic, but I'm not sure anyone here would know the truth of that. John may be right, he may not want to help any sponsor, but Nikko is media savvy enough to know that if he said this is my go to disc, he'd be building a relationship with said company. Sometimes sweat equity is a good thing.

If Nikko really didn't like Smashboxx, he wouldn't do hole reviews for them. Nikko is a hard case, he wears it on his sleeve when he is in round, but everything you read about him off the course is that he is generous and polite.

 

[lyleoross]

I'm pretty sure that those media hacks, Smashboxx, have commented a couple of times that Nate Doss has spent less time in non - practice related activities this year, freeing up time for more practice related activities. My guess would be that is the same for Val. As John and Terry noticed, Nate's game is up this year, and clearly, so is Val's.

There they go again, knowing what's going on and reporting it....