The 25th edition of the United States Women's Disc Golf Championship officially began Thursday at Brighton Resort, bringing the world's premier female disc golfers to the Wasatch Mountains for a four-day professional major tournament.
Elite Competition at Brighton Resort,
The tournament, a PDGA Pro Major, is scheduled to run from July 16 through July 19, 2026. Competitors are facing off on the historic Majestic 18 disc golf course located at Brighton Ski Resort in Salt Lake City.
Tournament Field and Divisions,
The event features a massive roster of talent across various divisions. According to the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), the tournament includes 77 players in the Women's Pro Open (FPO) division alone, with total player counts for the entire championship reaching several hundred participants.
Early Leaderboard Standings,
As of Friday afternoon, the leaderboard for the FPO division showed Ella Hansen of Seattle, Washington, holding the top position with a score of -9 through two rounds. Following closely in second place was Missy Gannon from Beacon, New York, and third was Valerie Mandujano of San Antonio, Texas.
Wide Range of Divisions,
The competition extends deep into the amateur and secondary professional divisions. The PDGA reported significant participation in the FA1 division with 28 players, as well as the FP40, FP50, FP55, FP60, FP65, and FP70 divisions. Notable early performers in these brackets include Kristi Lewis of Elk Grove, California, leading the FA40 division, and Helen Breault of Pinck Century, Michigan, leading the FA70 division.
International Field of Players,
The tournament director for the event is Rob Bullen. The championship utilizes the rugged terrain of the Brighton mountains to test the skill of players from across the United States and internationally, including competitors from Canada, Finland, Latvia, and Estonia.
Spectator Access and VIP Perks,
Spectators can attend the event through various access options provided by ElevateUT. Single-day passes are available for $25 per day, which grant access to the mountain via chairlift rides to follow the action on the course. For those seeking a more immersive experience, a VIP Pass is priced at $200 and offers full event access for all four championship days.
Exclusive VIP Amenities,
The $200 VIP Experience is valued at over $302 and includes several exclusive items such as an MVP Fission Dimension disc with a USWDGC 2026 stamp, a USWDGC cooler backpack, an official camp stool, and both sublimated and cooling towels. VIP holders also receive access to a shaded tent with snacks and drinks, reserved parking at Brighton, and specialized viewing zones that allow players to watch specific holes including the Hole 5 green, the Hole 10 green/Hole 11 fairway area, and the Hole 15 tee.
