BDO chairman Des Jacklin has seized the World Championship trophy from Wayne Warren following a police investigation, before declaring: ‘The BDO is very much alive’.
Continue reading “BDO World Championship Trophy seized from Wayne Warren following police investigation”
Teenage sensation Beau Greaves displayed maturity beyond her years to defeat ‘Queen of the Palace’ Fallon Sherrock and clinch the BDO Scottish Open women’s title on Sunday evening.
Continue reading “Greaves sees off Sherrock to seal Scottish Open glory”
BDO players who competed in last month’s World Championship have finally started to receive their prize money from the flagship competition, despite the 28-day deadline passing last weekend.
Continue reading “BDO World Championship: Prize money update”
Newly crowned BDO world champion Wayne Warren will receive just £23,000 for his triumph at the Indigo O2 on Sunday – a staggering 77% reduction compared to the prize pot on offer to last year’s champion.
Continue reading “Huge cuts to BDO World Championship prize fund revealed”
Wayne Warren made darting history by becoming the oldest first-time winner of a World Championship following a 7-4 victory over fellow Welshman Jim Williams in the 2020 BDO World Championship final on Sunday night at the Indigo O2.
Continue reading “History-maker Warren wins all-Welsh world final”
Mikuru Suzuki retained her World Championship title with an emphatic 3-0 success over four-time champion Lisa Ashton on a dramatic day at the Indigo at the O2, as Keane Barry claimed World Youth Championship glory with victory over 14-year-old Leighton Bennett on Saturday.
Continue reading “2020 BDO World Championship – Day Eight Report!”
Scott Mitchell edged out two-time winner Scott Waites in a battle of the former world champions to reach his first World Championship semi-final since capturing his 2015 crown, as Lisa Ashton and Mikuru Suzuki progressed to the women’s final on Friday night at the Indigo at the O2.
Continue reading “2020 BDO World Championship – Day Seven Report!”
Reigning women’s world champion Mikuru Suzuki will meet 16-year-old sensation Beau Greaves for a place in Saturday’s World Championship final, as four-time world champion Lisa Ashton also survived a scare on day six at the BDO World Championship.
Continue reading “Birthday girl Greaves sets up Suzuki showdown”
Former Lakeside world champion Scott Mitchell secured his place in the last 16 of the BDO World Championship with a hard-fought 3-1 win over teenage sensation Leighton Bennett, who made history by becoming the youngest player to ever feature at the BDO World Championship.
Continue reading “Mitchell battles past teenage sensation Bennett!”
Three-time women’s world champion Anastasia Dobromyslova has criticised the significant reduction in prize money for the 2020 BDO Women’s World Championship, labelling the current situation as ‘ridiculous’.
Continue reading “Dobromyslova slams ‘ridiculous’ women’s prize fund”
Scott Waites edged out Martin Adams in a battle of the former world champions to set up an enticing clash against top seed Wesley Harms, as Mikuru Suzuki produced a fine comeback to keep her title defence alive on a thrilling day which saw Paul Hogan miss double 18 for a nine-dart finish.
Continue reading “Waites edges out Wolfie as Hogan almost lands a nine-darter!”
Michael Unterbuchner, Wayne Warren and Paul Hogan all progressed on day two at the BDO World Championship, as World Masters champion John O’Shea and three-time women’s world finalist Deta Hedman bowed out on another action-packed day at the Indigo at The O2.
Continue reading “2020 BDO World Championship – Day Two Report”
15-year-old Beau Greaves enjoyed a dream World Championship debut as she defeated Australian qualifier Tori Kewish in straight sets to progress to the quarter-finals on the opening day of the 2020 BDO World Championship.
Continue reading “15-year-old Greaves shines on BDO World Championship debut!”
Fallon Sherrock has pulled out of next week’s BDO World Championship after it was revealed yesterday that the prize fund for the event had been reduced amid dismal ticket sales and the failure to obtain a title sponsor.
Continue reading “Sherrock pulls out of BDO World Championship!”
The BDO have confirmed that prize money for next month’s World Championship will be ‘reduced somewhat’, after failing to secure a title sponsor and selling just 15% of tickets after moving away from the Lakeside.
Continue reading “BDO World Championship prize money reduced due to poor ticket sales!”
Lisa Ashton’s bid for a fifth world title was curtailed in the opening session of this year’s BDO World Darts Championship as she was beaten in straight sets by highly-rated Japanese star Mikuru Suzuki, whilst last year’s finalist Mark McGeeney safely progressed through to round-two on Saturday afternoon at Frimley Green. Continue reading “BDO World Darts Championship – Day One Report!”
Glen Durrant could begin his bid for a third successive Lakeside World Championship title against Adam Smith-Neale, in a repeat of this year’s World Masters Final, after the draw for the BDO World Championship was made on Thursday evening. Continue reading “2019 BDO World Championship Draw!”
Reigning world champion Glen Durrant defeated two-time winner Scott Waites to set up a showdown with second seed Mark McGeeney in the BDO World Championship final tomorrow afternoon, as Lisa Ashton defeated Anastasia Dobromyslova to secure her fourth world title on a memorable day of darts at the Lakeside. Continue reading “BDO World Championship 2018: Day Eight Report!”
Reigning BDO world champion Glen Durrant has confirmed that he’s now ‘a BDO player for life’, after producing an inspired fightback from 4-1 down to defeat Jim Williams in a pulsating quarter-final tussle at the Lakeside on Friday afternoon. Continue reading “Durrant: ‘I’m a BDO player for life now’”
Dutch darting sensation Justin van Tergouw produced an incredible display to retain his BDO World Youth Championship title on another eventful double-session of action at the Lakeside on Thursday. Continue reading “BDO World Championship 2018: Day Six Report!”
Former BDO World Championship finalists Danny Noppert and Jeff Smith have both confirmed that they will be attempting to secure PDC Tour Cards at Q-School later this month. Continue reading “Noppert & Jeff Smith to compete at PDC Q-School!”
Top seed Glen Durrant continued the defence of his BDO World Championship title with an impressive victory over Darryl Fitton, whilst Danny Noppert and Scott Mitchell became the latest big-name casualties to bite the dust on a dramatic day of action at the Lakeside on Wednesday. Continue reading “BDO World Championship 2018: Day Five Report!”
German qualifier Michael Unterbuchner caused the biggest shock of the 2018 BDO World Championship so far by dumping out third seed Jamie Hughes in a dramatic fifth-set tie-break, as eighth seed Cameron Menzies was also beaten on debut in a dramatic double-session at the Lakeside on Tuesday. Continue reading “BDO World Championship 2018: Day Four Report!”
Top seed Glen Durrant began the defence of his BDO World Championship title with an impressive straight sets win over Gary Robson, whilst Welsh veteran Wayne Warren produced a fine display to dump out seventh seed Wesley Harms on another dramatic day of action at the Lakeside on Sunday evening. Continue reading “BDO World Championship 2018: Day Two Report!”
World number one Glen Durrant won the 40th staging of the BDO World Championship with a 7-3 victory over Dutch debutant, Danny Noppert,, on a memorable night of action at the Lakeside Country Club on Sunday evening.
Durrant had dominated the BDO circuit throughout 2016 and was under massive pressure to deliver this week after his previous World Championship heartbreak at the Lakeside. However, ‘Duzza’ held his nerve magnificently in Sunday’s final to clinch his maiden world title and the £100,000 winner’s cheque.
The 46-year-old Teessider averaged 93.48, landed thirteen maximums and posted 87 ton-plus scores to crown the greatest night of his darting life. Noppert battled valiantly and performed magnificently on his Lakeside debut, but he was convincingly beaten despite averaging 93.30 and also landing thirteen maximums.
The final began in blistering fashion, with Durrant registering seven perfect darts in the very first leg. The top seed then endured double-trouble but eventually pegged D1 with his eighth attempt at double to draw first blood. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship: Finals Day!”
Tournament favourite Glen Durrant will take on third seed and Lakeside debutant Danny Noppert in Sunday’s BDO World Championship Final after the pair defeated Jamie Hughes and Darryl Fitton respectively in the last four, whilst Lisa Ashton won the women’s world title for a third time at the Lakeside Country Club on Saturday.
Top seed Glen Durrant stormed into his maiden World Championship Final with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Jamie Hughes on Saturday evening. After some nervous recent displays, ‘Duzza’ was back to his clinical best against the fourth seed, averaging 96.27, landing seven maximums and taking out a magical 170 to prevail.
Hughes enjoyed the perfect start; breaking Durrant’s throw with a confident 80 checkout. However, ‘Duzza’ pinned D8 to break straight back, before hitting D5 to lead. Hughes defied Durrant’s first maximum to hold throw with a 75 finish to round off a 14-darter, but the top seed held his nerve to clinch the opening set with a commanding 13-dart leg.
The second set was a case of missed opportunities for ‘Yozza’. He spurned four darts to hold in the opening leg, before missing D8 for a 136 kill as Durrant extended his cushion with a 14-darter on tops. Hughes landed his second maximum and registered a 13-darter to fightback, but ‘Duzza’ dispatched a clean 72 kill on tops to double his lead. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship: Day Eight Report!”
Danny Noppert and Glen Durrant completed the men’s semi-final line up after dumping out Scott Waites and Darius Labanauskas respectively, as Corrine Hammond sprung a surprise to dump out three-time world champion Anastasia Dobromyslova in an intriguing night of action at the Lakeside Country Club on Friday evening.
Third seed Danny Noppert continued his dream Lakeside debut as he survived a valiant fightback from Scott Waites to dump out the reigning champion in an enthralling quarter-final tussle. The Dutchman averaged 95.58, landed eight maximums and produced some stunning finishes to set up a tasty semi-final clash against Darryl Fitton.
Noppert clinched an attritional opening set. The pair exchanged early breaks, before Waites defied Noppert’s first maximum to hold via D10. The Dutchman forced a set decider after hitting D2 with his eighth attempt at double, before drawing first blood with a clinical 104 outshot after the defending champion missed a set dart at D18.
This was a bitter pill for the Yorkshireman to swallow, but Waites responded strongly from this setback. ‘Scotty 2 Hotty’ claimed an instant break via D4, before completing his second straight 14-darter with a clinical 76 checkout to gain control. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship Day Seven: Evening Report!”
Third seed Danny Noppert produced one of the performances of the second-round to cruise into the quarter-finals and set up a clash with defending champion Scott Waites, as Darius Labanauskas, Anastasia Dobromyslova and Corrine Hammond all triumphed on an entertaining night of darts at the Lakeside Country Club on Thursday evening.
Noppert’s dream Lakeside debut continues as he stormed into the last eight after whitewashing his Dutch compatriot Richard Veenstra in round-two. ‘Noppie’ averaged 91.02, landed the solitary maximum and converted an impressive 48% of his double attempts to triumph comprehensively against last year’s semi-finalist.
Noppert opened up proceedings with a confident 15-dart hold. Veenstra seemed destined to level but squandered seven darts at double as ‘Noppie’ doubled his tally via D9. ‘Flyers’ continued to be plagued by double trouble after missing a further three darts to break back and the third seed clinched the first set with a ruthless 77 kill on the bullseye.
The scrappy start continued as Noppert broke throw on D1 after Veenstra failed to open his account with a 107 checkout; his eleventh missed dart at double in the match. The Lakeside debutant won his fifth straight leg after recording a 16-dart hold on tops, before he landed his first maximum and converted a sublime 11-darter to double his lead. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship Day Six: Evening Report!”
Defending champion Scott Waites produced a fine comeback to keep his title defence alive, Lisa Ashton and Aileen de Graaf set up a semi-final clash after recording straight set victories, whilst 16-year-old sensation Justin van Tergouw clinched the BDO World Youth Championship title on a packed session at the Lakeside on Thursday afternoon.
Scott Waites recovered from losing the opening six legs to defeat recent World Masters finalist Mark McGeeney in a scrappy second-round tussle. The two-time Lakeside champion endured a torrid start, but rallied to win twelve of the final sixteen legs to book his quarter-final spot with an 88.14 average.
Waites endured a nightmare start as McGeeney breezed to the opening two sets without reply. ‘The Gladiator’ punished Waites’ lacklustre start by breaking on tops, before extending his cushion on D16 for a 16-dart hold. The defending champion missed two darts for a 76 kill to prolong the set, as McGeeney wrapped up the opener on tops.
The Coventry ace continued his dominant start by pinning D8 for his fourth straight leg. Waites had the chance to open his account, but spurned a further three darts at double, as McGeeney followed up his first maximum with a confident 44 outshot. ‘Scotty 2 Hotty’ was feeling the heat and McGeeney converted D14 for a 17-dart hold to double his lead. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship Day Six: Afternoon Report!”
Glen Durrant survived four match darts as he produced an inspired comeback from 3-0 down to defeat the veteran Paul Hogan in an absorbing clash, as Jamie Hughes and Darryl Fitton also booked their spots in the World Championship quarter-finals on a dramatic night of darts at the Lakeside Country Club on Wednesday evening.
However, the biggest story of the night saw number one seed Glen Durrant produce a dramatic comeback from 3-0 down to defeat Paul Hogan and secure his spot in the quarter-finals. Hogan stormed into a three set lead but spurned four darts for a whitewash victory, as the Teessider showed admirable resolve to complete an unlikely turnaround.
Durrant was shell-shocked after losing nine of the opening eleven legs but he maintained his composure to reel off four successive sets to keep alive his hopes of winning a maiden world title. The 46-year-old averaged 89.85 and landed five maximums en route to victory, as Hogan was dumped out after averaging 92.01 and hitting 72 ton-plus scores.
Hogan made a blistering start to seal the opening set without reply. ‘Crocodile Dundee’ opened his account with a regulation 52 checkout, before Durrant responded with his first maximum. However, ‘Duzza’ missed three darts to hold and Hogan broke with a sensational 140 outshot, before clinching the set with a clinical two-dart 70 kill. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship Day Five: Evening Report!”
Martin Adams stormed into the World Championship quarter-finals with an emphatic 4-1 victory over 2016 finalist Jeff Smith, as former BDO World Trophy winner Geert de Vos dumped out second seed Scott Mitchell to reach the last eight for the first time, in a cracking session of darts at the Lakeside Country Club on Wednesday afternoon.
Three-time world champion Adams secured his place in this year’s quarter-finals with an impressive 4-1 victory over last year’s finalist Jeff Smith. ‘The Silencer’ defeated Adams in straight sets in the opening round twelve months ago, but ‘Wolfie’ gained retribution for that defeat, averaging 89.94 and landing seven maximums to prevail emphatically.
Adams was averaging in excess of 97 for the vast majority of the contest, but his average dipped as a consequence of a scrappy fifth set. Smith recorded some clinical finishes but he simply couldn’t match Wolfie’s relentless scoring power, as the Canadian’s hopes of replicating last year’s run to the final were quashed at the last 16 stage.
Adams made a strong start to clinch the opening set convincingly. The pair exchanged 17-dart holds to kick off proceedings, before ‘Wolfie’ completed a regulation 57 checkout for the third successive hold. The 60-year-old was dominating the scoring stakes, and landed two maximums in the fourth leg to secure the set with a fabulous 11-darter. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship Day Five: Afternoon Report!”
Defending champion Scott Waites kicked off his title defence with a hard-fought victory over Cambridgeshire veteran Dennis Harbour, as Darius Labanauskas, Mark McGeeney and three-time women’s world champion Anastasia Dobromyslova also recorded first-round wins on an entertaining night at the Lakeside Country Club on Tuesday evening.
The sixth seed and reigning champion Waites came through a tough first-round tussle against Dennis Harbour to keep his title defence alive. ‘Scotty 2 Hotty’ averaged 90.54, landed two maximums and took out a pivotal 142 checkout en route to victory, as Harbour was dumped out after averaging 89.28 and landing four maximums.
Harbour made an accomplished start; landing his first maximum and taking out 80 to lead. Waites responded with a 13-dart leveller, but ‘The Harbour Master’ converted a two-dart 96 finish to regain the initiative. However, the defending champion tied the set on D16, before conjuring up a magical 142 finish to steal the set; with Harbour poised on D12.
Harbour responded strongly by registering a 13-dart break early in set two. He couldn’t cement this break however, as Waites levelled on D4 having earlier missed the bullseye for a 161 outshot. ‘Scotty 2 Hotty’ wasn’t scoring at his proficient best but his finishing was clinical and this pattern continued, as he posted 60 and 76 kills to double his lead. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship Day Four: Evening Report!”
Dutch debutant Danny Noppert produced the performance of the tournament thus far to set up a second-round tie with his compatriot Richard Veenstra, whilst Wesley Harms and women’s top seed Deta Hedman suffered shock first-round exits on a dramatic session of darts at the Lakeside Country Club on Tuesday afternoon.
Noppert enjoyed a dream Lakeside debut by posting the highest average of the tournament thus far in defeating Canadian qualifier David Cameron in round-one. The Dutchman endured early nerves on the doubles, but recovered superbly and recorded a 3-1 victory after averaging 98.07 and landing six maximums.
Noppert reeled off three successive legs in 15 darts or under to recover from a torrid start in the opening set. Cameron secured the lead with a 15-dart break via D10, before extending his lead on D2 after ‘Noppie’ followed up his first maximum with ten missed darts at double.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman won his first leg with his twelfth attempt at double; registering his second 180 and converting a 68 finish on tops. This galvanised the third seed, as he fired in his third maximum and completed a 12-dart leg with a clinical 81 kill on D16, before hitting D4 to round-off a 65 checkout and seal the set inside 15 darts. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship Day Four: Afternoon Report!”
Last year’s finalist Jeff Smith will face three-time world champion Martin Adams in the second-round of the BDO World Championship after coming from behind to defeat Brian Dawson, as Geert de Vos, Paul Hogan and Lorraine Winstanley all tasted victory at the Lakeside Country Club on Monday evening.
Smith reeled off five consecutive legs to come from behind to dump out twelfth seed Brian Dawson in a topsy-turvy affair. Smith won four of the opening five legs, before Dawson stormed into a 2-1 lead after recording six straight legs. However, ‘The Silencer’ recovered to prevail with a 91.71 average and a 59% checkout success rate.
The 41-year-old defeated Dawson 4-1 in round-two twelve months ago, but he was made to sweat as he defeated the Yorkshireman at Lakeside for the second year in succession. In round-two, the Canadian will face three-time world champion Martin Adams in a repeat of their first-round clash in 2016, where Smith recorded a shock straight sets triumph.
Dawson started the contest sluggishly as Smith hit tops to win the opening two legs in 17 and 16 darts respectively. ‘Doggy’ opened his account on D16, but ‘The Silencer’ was unfazed and converted a regulation 53 checkout on D18 to wrap up the opening set. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship Day Three: Evening Report!”
Seventh seed Dean Reynolds became the first seed to tumble at this year’s BDO World Championship after spurning four match darts against Pip Blackwell, as David Cameron and Dennis Harbour secured hard-fought preliminary victories at the Lakeside Country Club on Monday afternoon.
Dean Reynolds’ wait for a first win at the World Championship continues after he spurned four match darts in a topsy-turvy clash against Kent’s Pip Blackwell. The Welshman missed three darts for a whitewash victory, before failing to take further opportunities in the final set, as Blackwell prevailed in a scrappy affair with an 81.36 average.
Both players made a nervy start to the tussle after missing doubles, but Reynolds eventually held throw on D16. Blackwell then landed the first maximum of the contest, but Reynolds doubled his tally with a classy 85 finish on the bull, before sealing the set to nil on D8; having missed the bull for a 127 outshot in the previous visit.
Blackwell responded strongly in set two; opening his account on D16 before following up successive 140’s with a 13-dart break of throw to seize command of the set. However, Reynolds stayed alive in the set by breaking back immediately within 16 darts. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship Day Three: Afternoon Report!”
Fourth seed Jamie Hughes saw off Lakeside veteran Martin Atkins to set up a second-round tie with Welsh star Jim Williams, as Krzysztof Ratajski, Raymond Smith and Fallon Sherrock also triumphed on a nerve-jangling night of action at the Lakeside Country Club on Sunday evening.
Jamie Hughes posted his highest ever average in a BDO World Championship as he defeated the veteran Martin Atkins to reach round-two. The 30-year-old Tipton ace averaged 94.4 and landed four maximums to triumph, as Atkins’ twelfth World Championship appearance culminated with a first-round exit.
Atkins made an imperious start, posting his first maximum and taking out 98 to break inside 14 darts. Hughes responded in kind however, landing his first 180 and nailing D10 for a second successive 14-dart break.. ‘Yozza’ then converted a 76 kill for a 15-dart hold, before clinching the opener on D5 after four missed darts at double from Atkins.
Hughes was growing in confidence and the Tipton ace clinched his fourth straight leg with a clinical 79 finish, before seizing command of the second set with a two-dart 60 kill as his average approached the 100 mark. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship Day Two: Evening Report!”
Three-time world champion Martin Adams edged out debutant Ryan Joyce in a thrilling sudden-death leg, as Scott Mitchell, Paul Hogan and Lisa Ashton all recorded emphatic straight sets victories at the Lakeside Country Club on Sunday afternoon.
Lakeside legend Martin Adams prevailed in a sudden-death classic against debutant Ryan Joyce in the match of the tournament thus far on Sunday afternoon. ‘Wolfie’, appearing in his 24th BDO World Championship, averaged 91.74, landed five maximums and took out four ton-plus checkouts as he survived a match dart to triumph in an epic.
Adams drew first blood with a 15-dart hold on D5, but Joyce levelled after following up his first maximum by dispatching a 100 finish on D10. The man nicknamed ‘Relentless’ then pegged D11 to break after the fifth seed missed four darts to hold, before defying Adams’ first maximum to wrap up the opening set with a clinical two-dart 74 kill.
However, ‘Wolfie’ responded strongly in set two, landing his second maximum and taking out a quality two-dart 86 finish to break. The 60-year-old cemented this with a comfortable hold on tops, before spurning five set darts. Nevertheless, he rectified this error with a classy 118 checkout in the following leg to restore parity at one-apiece. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship: Day Two Afternoon Report!”
Jim Williams defeated three-time world finalist Tony O’Shea in straight sets in the first-round of the BDO World Championship for the second year in succession, as Jeff Smith, Mark McGrath and Aileen de Graaf also triumphed at the Lakeside Country Club on Saturday evening.
Thirteenth seed Williams condemned Lakeside legend Tony O’Shea to his fourth successive first-round exit at Frimley Green with a comprehensive 3-0 victory. Both men struggled for large periods, but Williams averaged 82.62 in dropping just two legs, as O’Shea was punished for converting just two of his 27 attempts at double.
Williams clinched the opening set to nil, despite the fact O’Shea was first to a double in each of the three legs. The Welshman escaped with a hold of throw in the first leg as ‘Silverback’ spurned four darts at tops to break.
The second leg followed a similar pattern. O’Shea squandered five darts at double as Williams again pinned D16 to double his tally. The three-time world finalist had a chance at 108 to stay alive in the set but he failed to pin D14, as the Welshman clinched the opener with a clinical 78 kill. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship: Day One Evening Report!”
Number one seed Glen Durrant began his assault for a maiden World Championship title in impressive fashion, as Darryl Fitton, Ryan Joyce and ten-time women’s world champion Trina Gulliver also tasted victory on the opening session of action at the 2017 BDO World Championship at the Lakeside Country Club on Saturday afternoon.
Glen Durrant kicked off the 2017 BDO World Championship in style with a high-quality victory against impressive Lakeside debutant Nick Kenny. Durrant prevailed after posting an excellent 96.95 average and landing three maximums, as Kenny was dumped out despite averaging 92.64 and crashing in six maximums.
The contest began in spectacular fashion, as Durrant clinched the opening leg of the tournament with a majestic 167 checkout to break throw. Kenny responded superbly however; landing his first maximum and taking out 56 for a 12-darter and an instant break back.
‘Duzza’ missed tops for a 111 outshot and a third successive break moments later, as Kenny nailed D18 to complete a 56 kill for the second straight leg. The Welshman was oozing confidence and crashed in his second maximum, before converting a two-dart 80 finish for a 14-darter to clinch the opening set. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship Day One: Afternoon Report!”
The 2017 BDO World Championship kicks off at the Lakeside Country Club on Saturday afternoon, with number one seed Glen Durrant opening the tournament against the dangerous Welshman Nick Kenny, who has won two ranking titles this year.
Another stand-out Saturday tie sees 13th seed Jim Williams play three-time Lakeside finalist Tony O’Shea, whilst O’Shea’s Stockport counterpart Darryl Fitton is also in action; the reigning World Trophy winner meets World Championship debutant Wouter Vaes, a finalist at the Austrian Open back in June.
Three preliminary ties also take place on the opening day of action. Last year’s finalist Jeff Smith takes on four-time Japan Open winner Seigo Asada, as debutants Ryan Joyce and Mark McGrath face Dennis Nilsson and Roger Janssen respectively.
In the women’s section on Saturday, reigning champion Trina Gulliver kicks off her assault for an 11th World Championship against Claire Brookin, who tasted victory in the Women’s British Classic back in September. Elsewhere, third seed Aileen de Graaf plays the experienced Rachel Brooks, a quarter-finalist here back in 2015. Continue reading “2017 BDO World Championship: Schedule & Preview!”