After seven years on the professional tour, Tyson McGuffin made history at the 2023 PPA Tournament of Champions by winning his first Triple Crown.
McGuffin is the first male player other than Ben Johns to secure a Triple Crown — an impressive feat that sees one player win gold in mixed doubles, gender doubles, and singles at one tournament. Only five players have ever won a Triple Crown on the PPA Tour: McGuffin, Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, Catherine Parenteau, and Simone Jardim.
Winning his Triple Crown in Brigham City, Utah, was special to McGuffin, as the Tournament of Champions is where he won his first-ever professional medal in 2016.
Here’s a look at how McGuffin won his first Triple Crown.
Men’s doubles
McGuffin’s Triple Crown run started with a tough men’s doubles match with his partner and fellow Selkirk athlete James Ignatowich. The two faced off against Riley Newman and AJ Koller.
After losing the first two games (11-4, 11-4), it appeared McGuffin’s hopes of a Triple Crown were over. However, the Selkirk duo came back with incredible force in game three, winning 11-0. Once Ignatowich got the serve, he never gave it up.
McGuffin and Ignatowich carried their aggression into game four, winning 11-7. They clinched the final game 11-8.
The win marked the pair’s first gold medal together and gave McGuffin his first gold medal of the day.
Mixed doubles
For mixed doubles, McGuffin was joined by Selkirk athlete Catherine Parenteau, who was also in pursuit of her own Triple Crown.
Due to a weather delay, the duo didn’t play their mixed doubles semifinal against the one-seeded team of Riley Newman and Jessie Irvine until 9:30 p.m. on Friday. After a tough battle, McGuffin and Parenteau eeked out a win in three games.
After a short recovery time, the two returned energized and hungry for a win against opponents Tina Pisnik and Pat Smith on Championship Saturday.
After McGuffin and Parenteau took the first two games (11-5, 11-4), Smith had to withdraw from the match due to concerns about a potential concussion he may have incurred after he fell and hit his head during a men’s doubles match on Friday.
Though it was McGuffin and Parenteau’s third mixed doubles final appearance together, it was their first gold medal. It also gave McGuffin his second gold medal and Parenteau her first of the day.
Men’s singles
With one medal left to secure his first Triple Crown, McGuffin faced a tough competitor in Connor Garnett.
McGuffin took game one 11-6 before facing a seemingly insurmountable 9-2 deficit in game two. However, he stormed back to win game two 12-10, securing his final gold medal of the day.
A toast to triumph
McGuffin had to take about six weeks off earlier in the season due to a foot injury caused by plantar fasciitis. After winning his third gold medal, he gave credit to his wife and his trainer for his wins.
And of course, McGuffin celebrated in his signature style — by sharing some Miller Lights with the crowd.
A winning weekend for Selkirk
McGuffin wasn’t alone in his victory — Catherine Parenteau took home her second career Triple Crown.
McGuffin and Parenteau’s incredible efforts contributed toward a Selkirk sweep of gold medals as Selkirk’s sponsored athletes clenched all 8 gold medals handed out over the weekend. McGuffin’s men’s doubles partner James Ignatowich and Parenteau’s women’s doubles partner Parris Todd took home the remaining two gold medals.
