Thompson, Scott share Hotlanta lead as chase tightens early

Harper Thompson and Aidan Scott opened the 30th annual Hotlanta by putting the entire MPO chase under immediate pressure. Both shot 11-under 49 on Friday at Parker’s Pasture Long tees, and with Ezra Goodwin, Jamie Kiep and Jackson Berry sitting just one stroke behind at 10-under, the first round already turned every miss into a swing hole.

The numbers fit the setting. The Round 1 MPO card played 18 holes, 7,182 feet and a par 60 at J.P. Moseley Park, a course known for long wooded fairways, water in play, mandatory routes and signature holes such as Skull Island and Stonehenge. In a 21-player field, that mix of punishment and scoring chances meant the opening round favored players who could keep attacking without giving strokes back in bunches.

Thompson looks especially well positioned for the weekend. His PDGA player page lists him at 1026 rated as of May 12, 2026, with 38 career wins, a profile that matches the kind of controlled aggression Moseley demands. Scott matched him blow for blow on the scoreboard, and the two leaders created the first real separation point of the tournament without actually breaking away. On a layout where one loose drive can lead to a hole that turns a birdie chase into damage control, that kind of steadiness matters more than a hot start alone.

Goodwin, Kiep and Berry kept the pressure on from a single shot back, and Nickolas Culver remained within range in sixth at 8-under. That is exactly the kind of compact leaderboard that can flip fast at an A-tier, especially on a course where precision carries as much weight as power. The players best set up for the weekend are the ones who can keep converting in the circle and avoid the big mistake that opens the door to a cluster of contenders.

Hotlanta is listed as a PDGA A-tier running June 5-7, 2026, with Kevin McCoy as tournament director. Disc Golf Scene identifies it as the 30th annual Hotlanta, sponsored by MVP Disc Sports and hosted by Newrock Disc Golf Club, and the opening round made clear why the event has a reputation for staying crowded deep into Sunday. At J.P. Moseley Park, the margin for error is already thin, and the leaderboard says the squeeze is only beginning.