The legendary Paul Lim rolled back the years to triumph in PDC Asian Tour 2 in Seoul on Sunday, as he closed out a 5-2 win over former Hong Kong World Cup star Kai-Fan Leung.
‘The Singapore Slinger’, who turned 65 just two days ago, was beaten in the final of PDC Asian Tour 1 by Royden Lam just 24 hours earlier, despite averaging 105.30. Nevertheless, he bounced back in sensational style; dropping just nine legs across his seven matches en route to glory.
Lim kicked off his campaign with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Kamarudin Ahmad, before whitewashing Keith Wong to book his place in the last 32. The 65-year-old then took on Min Seok Choi and produced a sensational display; averaging 108.90 and reeling off five consecutive legs in 13, 15, 11, 17 and 13 darts to close out a stunning 5-0 victory.
The Singapore star later recorded his third successive whitewash win of the day against Gan Erdene Sharavsambuu to set up a quarter-final clash against newly crowned BDO women’s world champion Mikuru Suzuki.
Lim drew first blood with a majestic 142 checkout, but Suzuki responded impressively to secure a 4-3 advantage with a superb 12-dart leg. Nevertheless, Lim responded with a 12-darter of his own to force a decider before converting a nerveless 68 checkout to prevail, after Suzuki had spurned two match darts for a famous victory.
Lim, who famously became the first player to achieve a nine-dart finish in a World Championship back in 1990, faced Lourence Ilagan in the semi-finals- the man who topped last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit. However, the Singapore veteran recorded a convincing 5-2 win with a 94.80 average, to reach his second final of the weekend.
The 65-year-old faced Kai-Fan Leung in Sunday’s showpiece and it appeared that he may be denied in the final for the second day in succession, as Leung established an early 2-0 cushion. However, Lim roared back, winning five straight legs in 17, 13, 17, 17 and 16 darts to clinch his second Asian Tour title and scoop the $3,000 winner’s prize.
Great couple of days for Paul Lim on the PDC Asian Tour. Runner-Up yesterday, winner today. Highest average both days & 35 x 180’s over the 94 legs played (0.37 per leg ratio). #PDCAsianTour #PDC 🎯
(📷 @SkySportsDarts ) pic.twitter.com/Xfo6yyzFGy
— Carl Fletcher (@CarlyFletch) January 27, 2019
Elsewhere, Saturday’s champion Royden Lam was beaten in the last 16 by Michael Viola, while two-time PDC World Championship qualifier Seigo Asada suffered a third-round exit against Alexis Toylo. Meanwhile, Filipino star Noel Malicdem, who triumphed twice on the PDC Asian Tour in 2018, was thrashed 5-1 by eventual finalist Leung in round-two.
Nevertheless, the evergreen Lim deservedly claimed the plaudits this weekend and he tops the Asian Tour Order of Merit on $4,200 after two events. As a result, ‘The Singapore Slinger’ is on course to qualify for the 2020 PDC World Championship later this year, and he’ll be bidding to repeat his heroics when the Asian Tour continues in February.
Photo Credit: Professional Darts Asia
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