Missy Gannon did it again! After a season filled with remarkable victories, consistent podium finishes and rock-solid performance, Gannon deserves the award DGPT's Elaine King Player of the Year Award for 2024. Named in honor of disc golf legend Elaine King, this award goes to the FPO Player of the Year (POTY) and represents one of the sport's highest achievements.
Up to the cable
The race for Elaine King Player of the Year was closer than ever. After combining the results of media votes, Tour Card holder votes and 2024 votes DGPT world rankingsMissy Gannon and Kristin Tattar were in an unprecedented duel for the FPO POTY award. Since the final winner was ultimately determined in the tie-break – DGPT world ranking points – Missy edged out Kristin and, thanks to her first place in the world rankings, won the “FPO Player of the Year 2024” award.
The shot that made the difference
Missy Gannon stood on the tee on the 18th hole at Maple Hill and was just a few throws away from one of the most impressive results in DGPT history. Since they were tied with two-time world champion Kristin Tattar at -18, both the MVP Open title and the DGPT World Ranking Points Championship title were on the line. The player with the best score on the complex par 4 would win both.
Missy hit a near-perfect backhand, giving herself some confidence off the tee. Tattar responded with a solid forehand drive and then launched himself to the corner of the fairway for a seemingly guaranteed par. Missy put Kristin in the same landing zone with a sure backhand and both players ended up with almost identical forehand approach angles to the heavily guarded 18th green.
With everything on the line, Kristin went first. As the crowd cheered in anticipation, she lined up a putter with her forehand, took a deep breath and threw.
“She took a shortcut… Kristin can’t make it to the island.”
With the door wide open it was Missy's. With perfect pace, she launched herself onto the island green and made her low putt to secure both the MVP Open and Tour Points titles. With her performance on the 18th hole, Missy cemented her first place in the DGPT World Rankings and ultimately secured the tie-breaker she unknowingly needed to secure the 2024 Player of the Year award.
Because the race for this award is so close, we must take a moment to recognize and celebrate Kristin's outstanding season. Despite finishing two places behind Missy in the world rankings, Kristin claimed five DGPT victories, defended her European Open (PDGA Pro Major) title and won the Throw Pink Women's Disc Golf Championship. After struggling with an injury earlier in the year, Kristin showed an indomitable spirit and returned to the top of the podium in her first event on the tour after a two-month recovery. Kristin is without question one of the players who will continue to shape the current era of FPO competition and currently maintains her place as the highest-rated female of all time. We can't wait to see what Kristin has in store for next season.
In the end it all came down to points! Missy Gannon's consistent performance throughout the year was enough to give her a leg up and secure the Player of the Year award. So how did Missy do that? Let's take a look at the highlights, wins and key moments that earned her this award for the second time in her career:
Six wins, including a major and the DGPT championship
Missy Gannon has been an absolute force on the Tour this year, picking up a total of six Tour event wins*. Among these victories, two stand out as career-defining achievements. At first she claimed that United States Women's Disc Golf Championship (USWDGC)In doing so, she added her first PDGA Pro Major title to her career and cemented her status as one of the top competitors in the sport.
And then there was this DGPT Championshipwhere Missy defended her 2023 title and became the first FPO player to win the event three times. Winning the title in a row was an impressive achievement in itself, but a total of three DGPT championships? This is a whole modern level of elite. This performance highlights her resilience under pressure and her undeniable resilience when the stakes are highest.
Dominate the fairways and lead the points race
Throughout the season, Gannon's game was characterized by precision and control. She led the field Fairway hits rate at 80.89%She demonstrated her accuracy and steady hand while navigating some of the sport's most demanding courses. With such a precise shot, she set herself up for birdies and minimized bogeys, always giving herself a chance to score.
Missy's consistency also paid off in the points standings. She finished the year as DGPT points champion and secured first place DGPT world rankings. Her ability to stay focused and deliver top-notch performances throughout the season is a testament to her work ethic and mental toughness.
Cash in at every event: Missy's streak continues
They don’t call her “Gigantic Money Missy” for nothing! If you're looking for reliability in disc golf, look no further than Missy Gannon. She currently holds the longest vigorous cash streak in the FPO at 65 events, extending that throughout the 2024 season. Gannon's ability to consistently cash in every single event she competes in is a testament to her reliability and experience at the Managing high stakes tournaments. Across her 22 events in 2024, she achieved a 100% cash ratio and was the highest FPO cash earner in 2024 with $104,150.
Even more impressive is Missy's career earnings of $121,350 from the DGPT Championship alone. With three DGPT Championship victories under her belt, she is well on her way to cementing her reputation as one of the most successful DGPT postseason FPO money earners of all time.
A year with top results
Aside from her six wins, Missy Gannon was a regular on the podium. She finished the season with 9 podiums and 20 top 10 finishes. It's occasional that a competitor not only wins, but also stays so consistently close to the top week after week. Across her 22 Tour events, she was never far from the action, displaying the discipline and high standards that have become her trademark.
A familiar face at the DGPT Awards
This isn't Missy's first encounter with the DGPT Awards circuit. She had previously taken it home with her Elaine King Player of the Year And Most Improved Player Awards in 2021, proving that her rise to the top has been steady and well-deserved. This year's Player of the Year award marks the second time she has received the honor, a testament to her growth and consistency over the years as the FPO field has evolved.
We look forward to 2025
As we celebrate Missy Gannon's amazing 2024 season, fans are wondering what's next. With her proven track record, exceptional accuracy and ability to win under pressure, Gannon's career seems to reach modern heights with each season. She has set the bar high for her competitors and shown what it takes to stay at the top of professional disc golf.
So here goes Missy Gannon, the 2024 Elaine King Player of the Year, a champion who is not only at her best but also continuing to improve on it. Congratulations, Missy – you totally deserve it and we can’t wait to see what you do next!
Click here for a full breakdown of the DGPT Player of the Year award, including details on eligibility, selection criteria and how this year's winners were selected.
*Tour events are represented as DGPT Standard/Elite, DGPT+ and DGPT Playoff events including the DGPT Championship and PDGA Pro Majors. The data provided will be collected by StatMando from the conclusion of the 2024 DGPT season
