Best Sporting Clays Shooter Ever?
George Digweed
Sporting clays is often called “golf with a shotgun,” and while there are many outstanding shooters in the sport’s history, George Digweed stands unrivaled. His career achievements, consistency, and enduring influence elevate him above all others and form the strongest case for crowning him the best sporting clays shooter ever.
George Digweed, a British shooter born in 1964, has dominated the shooting sports for over three decades. His list of accomplishments is staggering: over 30 world championships across sporting clays and FITASC (Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse), a discipline similar to sporting clays. This level of sustained excellence has never been matched, and it’s unlikely that anyone will eclipse it anytime soon. He has also won more than 140 international championships and continues to compete and win well into his 50s. Digweed is also an outstanding skeet shooter.
What separates Digweed from other elite shooters isn’t just his precision and technical mastery—it’s his mental toughness. Competitive clay shooting demands extreme focus, as even the slightest lapse in concentration can mean the difference between first place and missing the podium entirely. Digweed’s ability to remain composed and consistent under pressure is legendary. Whether he’s shooting in gusty wind, rain, or under the watchful eyes of thousands of spectators, he delivers.
One of Digweed’s most talked-about feats occurred in 1999, when he shot a clay pigeon at 130 yards—a distance that had many skeptics claiming it was impossible. This shot wasn’t just a flashy trick; it demonstrated his incredible understanding of ballistics, timing, and precision. The feat was captured on video and remains one of the most viewed and discussed moments in shotgun sports history.
Jon Kruger
Jon Kruger is widely acknowledged as one of the legends of American sporting clays. He didn’t begin competing in registered competitions until his early twenties, but amassed more than 200,000 registered targets over his career. He won the U.S. Open eight times and was selected on the NSCA All‑American team 23 times. He also represented Team USA, earning seven team gold medals, showing strong international as well as domestic performance Kruger was the first person inducted into the NSCA Hall of Fame in 1998, recognizing his trail‑blazing influence in the sport. Perhaps most remarkably, after a serious accident in 1989, Kruger came back to win 40 straight tournaments over about 13 months—a streak that underlines his skill, resilience, and competitive consistency.
Anthony Matarese Jr.
Of course, Digweed and Kruger aren’t the only greats to compete in sporting clays. American shooter Anthony Matarese Jr. has also made a significant impact. Matarese became the first American to win the World FITASC Championship in 2015 and has multiple national titles to his name. Known for his smooth style and methodical approach, Matarese is considered one of the best active shooters in the world today. He is also a fantastic instructor commanding a rate that most instructors would envy. He has even written a best seller titled “Straight Shooting”, which is considered a how-to manual for those wanting to excel in sporting clays. Order Anthony’s book here. Anthony’s Book
Brandon Powell
Brandon Powell has been one of the most dominant and consistent sporting clays shooters in the United States in recent years. He has captured numerous High Over All (HOA) titles in national-level events, regionals, and state championships. Some of his recent highlights include winning the 2024 NSCA National Championship Main Event HOA, backing that up with regional victories such as the Northeast Regional and South Central Regional in 2024. In 2025, he extended his win streak by securing the Main Event title at the Shooters Championship with an outstanding 199/200, as well as victories at the Freedom Cup and the Alabama State Championship.
Another strong part of his resume is his dominance in his home state: Powell won his 8th Georgia State Sporting Clays Championship in 2025, including sweeping top honors in the Main Event HOA, doing well in preliminaries, and winning the FITASC High Over All. He also successfully defended world‑class titles, such as repeating at the World Sporting Clays Championship in England and winning the ICTSF World Sporting Clays Championship in Alberta, further cementing his status at the top level.
Zach Kienbaum
Zach Kienbaum is a veteran sporting clays shooter with a long track record of high performance, consistency, and honors. He was inducted into the NSCA Hall of Fame in 2022, recognizing over 25 years of competitive success and contributions to the sport. Among his many achievements are multiple NSCA National Championship HOA titles — he won in 2018, 2019, and again in 2022.
Beyond national titles, Kienbaum has also had strong international performances and state/regional wins. He has been selected many times as an NSCA All‑American (28 times), has multiple Team USA appearances, and has claimed HOA championships at diverse events like the California State, Texas State, Seminole Cup, and Delaware River Classic. In 2024, he was crowned the World FITASC Sporting Clays Champion with a score of 189/200. Keinbaum, a great instructor in his own right, is directly responsible for the success of junior phenom, Conner Daniel. Kienbaum teamed up with George Digweed and Anthony Matarese Jr in offering online instructions and videos with their project, claytargetinstruction.com. This powerful collaboration allows you to learn from three of the best to ever break a clay.
Digweed: The Best Ever?
The impressive achievements of Kruger, Matarese, Powell, and Kienbaum are notable, yet in every meaningful category, Digweed’s career longevity, consistency, and unprecedented number of wins set him apart. His influence extends beyond statistics; he has inspired generations, authored books, led instructional efforts, and changed how top shooters worldwide approach competition. These factors collectively reinforce that Digweed’s legacy is unmatched.
Critics sometimes argue that the title of “greatest ever” can’t belong to one person, especially in a sport that evolves and grows over time. Equipment changes, target presentations shift, and fields become more competitive. But Digweed has adapted and thrived across all these changes. He’s not just a product of his era; he has defined multiple eras in the sport.
Moreover, Digweed’s humility and sportsmanship add to his legend. Despite his status, he is known for being approachable and supportive of up-and-coming talent. He often emphasizes the importance of enjoying the sport, staying grounded, and putting in hard work—traits that resonate with amateurs and professionals alike.
In conclusion, although subjective debate may continue, the evidence overwhelmingly positions George Digweed at the summit of sporting clays. His unrivaled list of titles, iconic moments, and transformative impact on the sport firmly establish him as the greatest sporting clays shooter in history.