2007 Rookie of the Year Candidate Nikko Locastro Off to Flying Start in 2008

After and incredible rookie year in 2007 where young Gateway pro Nikko Locastro finished as the clear statistical leader among all rookies, he’s already off to a flying start in 2008. 

At the first NT of the year, The Memorial in Phoenix, Nikko was sitting in 5th place after 3 rounds and looking at a pretty big pay day. Says Gateway owner David McCormack: "For Nikko its really not about the money; he wants to win and prove he is one of the best players in the game. This can get a guy in trouble, as not playing safe at this event will have your discs in the drink if you’re not careful." Nikko's eyes were set on moving up, but unfortunately he found too much water and eventually a 12th place finish and $565.00. 

After a 1st and 4th place finishes at 2 small C-tiers in St. Louis Nikko went on for what he called a “disappointing” 17th place finish at rainy and windy Bowling Green.

Moving on, Nikko next competed in the Ozark Mountain Open, which has been highly regarded as the most physically demanding and mentally challenging event in all of PDGA history. Ozark Mountain held the highest world class par average for over 4 years and has since been lengthened and was playing harder than ever. Nikko shot an amazing 12-under 60 on the Par 72 mountain course breaking the old record of 62 ( when the par was only 70) and held on with a nice -4, 50 on Akita’s run, for 6-throw win over fellow teammate Justin Bunnell and capturing his 1st $1,000 payday. 

The following week he finished 5th at Lexington for a $300 payday in a tough field behind past winners Justin Bunnell and George Smith, who have proven to be very hard to beat here. Combined, George and Justin have won the last 6 Lexington Open events.

This past weekend was time for the St. Louis Open and a chance for another $1,000-plus payday for Nikko, but he would have to outduel one of the games best ever in Barry Schultz, along with fellow teammates Justin Bunnell, George Smith and Chris “ Dready or Knot” Boro.

During the last round before the final 9, Nikko was up by 2 strokes and threw a huge roller left of a double mandatory on Hole 6 at CC lake. McCormack commented on Nikko's misstep: "We have never played this as a mandatory but it was marked really well and is almost impossible to miss, unless you're trying to, which Nikko was." Barry said Nikko was playing very well and quite relaxed before the incident and never really got mad, but also didn't ever fully recover from the mishap and seemed to be pressing from there on out.  The two-time world champio paid Nikko a great compliment saying he handled the mistake very professionally and as well as anyone could have considering the importance of the mistake and the fact it was on one of his home courses.

The two-time world champ and three-time USDGC champion Schultz came from behind for a 3-stroke over Nikko and Justin, who tied for 2nd with Boro coming in 4th. 

The $600.00 payday for Nikko for the 2nd-place tie brings his year to date total to $2,906 , with 2 wins and a 2nd-place finish, proving his rookie year was no fluke with no "sophomore jinx" so far!