Peter Wright has moved to world number one on the PDC Order of Merit for the first time in his career following the conclusion of the 2022 UK Open.
Continue reading “Peter Wright becomes new world number one; Michael van Gerwen slips to fifth”
James Wade issued a defiant message to the darting media after landing a sensational nine-dart finish to continue his bid for a fourth UK Open crown on Saturday night.
Continue reading “Wade: “You keep blowing smoke up everyone else’s backside and I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.””
World champion Peter Wright revealed he considered pulling out of this year’s UK Open, after battling through the pain barrier to defeat his Premier League counterpart Joe Cullen on Friday evening in Minehead.
Continue reading “Wright considered pulling out of UK Open | “I couldn’t stand up””
Raymond van Barneveld will face William Borland in his Cazoo UK Open opener on Friday, after the draw and stage allocations for the opening session of this weekend’s Minehead event were confirmed on Monday afternoon.
Continue reading “2022 UK Open: Draw & Schedule confirmed!”
The field for the 2022 UK Open has been confirmed ahead of next month’s event, which takes place at Butlin’s Minehead Resort from March 4-6.
Continue reading “2022 UK Open: 159-player field confirmed!”
James Wade clinched his third UK Open title with an 11-5 victory over Luke Humphries on a thrilling Finals Day in Milton Keynes on Sunday.
Wade saw off Simon Whitlock, Gerwyn Price and Humphries to land his tenth televised title at the Marshall Arena, becoming just the second man in PDC history to secure a major ranking title in three different decades, and the third to reach double figures in terms of individual major honours.
Continue reading “Wonderful Wade completes UK Open treble”
Defending champion Michael van Gerwen and world No 1 Gerwyn Price were among the eight players to reach the quarter-finals of the 2021 Ladbrokes UK Open, following a thrilling day of darts in Milton Keynes on Saturday.
Continue reading “UK Open: Van Gerwen, Price & Wade reach the last eight”
Five former champions and four of the world’s top ten crashed out on an extraordinary opening day at the 2021 UK Open in Milton Keynes, as two nine-dart finishes were also landed on a fantastic Friday at the Marshall Arena.
Continue reading “UK Open: Five former champions crash out on thrilling opening day”
Justin Pipe will miss this weekend’s Ladbrokes UK Open after returning a positive test for Covid-19 ahead of the tournament.
Continue reading “Pipe ruled out of UK Open following positive Covid test”
Jonny Clayton landed his first televised nine-darter as he progressed through to the UK Open quarter-finals on a dramatic double-session in Minehead, as world champion Peter Wright and his World Cup partner Gary Anderson crashed out in the last 16.
Continue reading “WATCH: Classy Clayton lands nine-darter in Minehead!”
Michael van Gerwen ended Nathan Aspinall’s UK Open title defence on a thrilling opening night in Minehead, as world champion Peter Wright kicked off his bid for a third major title of 2020 with a narrow victory over Premier League table-topper Glen Durrant.
Continue reading “Big names tumble on thrilling opening day at UK Open”
The draw for the opening three rounds of the 2020 Ladbrokes UK Open has been confirmed, with the schedule of play also revealed for the tournament dubbed ‘The FA Cup of Darts’, which begins on Friday March 6 at the Butlin’s Minehead Resort.
Continue reading “2020 Ladbrokes UK Open: Draw and schedule released”
Nathan Aspinall sensationally clinched his first televised title at the 2019 Ladbrokes UK Open, as he defeated former world champion Rob Cross 11-5 to triumph on a dramatic evening at Butlin’s Minehead Resort.
Continue reading “Awesome Aspinall seals maiden major title!”
Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Peter Wright all crashed out on a dramatic opening day of the Ladbrokes UK Open, while former champions Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld also bowed out as the 159-player tournament kicked off with a bang at Butlin’s Minehead Resort on Friday.
Continue reading “Van Gerwen, Anderson & Wright crash out of UK Open!”
Two-time world champion Gary Anderson clinched his maiden UK Open title with a brilliant 11-7 victory over Australian sensation Corey Cadby on a dramatic day of action at Butlin’s Minehead on Sunday evening. Continue reading “UK Open 2018: Finals Day Report!”
The two tournament favourites Gary Anderson and Rob Cross will clash in the UK Open quarter-finals, as three-time world champion John Part reached his first major TV quarter-final since 2012 on another dramatic day of action at Butlin’s Minehead on Saturday. Continue reading “UK Open 2018: Day Two Report!”
Champions League of Darts winner Mensur Suljovic will be the highest-profile absentee at next month’s Coral UK Open Finals in Minehead, after the 128-man field for the event was confirmed earlier this week. Continue reading “Several big names to miss the UK Open!”
2017 UK Open finalist Gerwyn Price will take on former BDO number one James Wilson in the opening afternoon of this year’s event next month, which will also see five-time world champion and two-time UK Open winner Raymond van Barneveld in action. Continue reading “2018 UK Open Draw!”
Gary Anderson defied his injury woes to secure his place in next month’s UK Open with victory in qualifier four on Friday, defeating Jeffrey de Zwaan 6-2 in the final at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan. Continue reading “UK Open Qualifier Four Report!”
Michael Smith whitewashed Zoran Lerchbacher 6-0 to prevail in the third Coral UK Open qualifier, having ended nine-dart hero Michael van Gerwen’s unbeaten start to 2018 on a day of shocks at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan. Continue reading “UK Open Qualifier Three Report!”
Michael van Gerwen continued his unbeaten start to 2018 to triumph in the second UK Open qualifier and clinch the 100th senior singles title of his PDC career on another dramatic day of action on Saturday evening. Continue reading “UK Open Qualifier Two Report!”
Two-time world champion Adrian Lewis has been suspended by the Professional Darts Corporation with immediate effect following an angry altercation with Jose Antonio Perales in the first UK Open qualifier on Friday evening. Continue reading “Adrian Lewis suspended after heated altercation in UK Open qualifier!”
The entries for this month’s six UK Open qualifiers have been confirmed, as the 256-player field prepare to battle it out at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan to secure a spot in March’s Coral UK Open in Minehead. Continue reading “UK Open Qualifiers 2018: Entries Confirmed!”
An emotionally-charged Peter Wright ended his wait for a maiden televised title with a memorable triumph in the Coral UK Open, defeating Welsh number one Gerwyn Price 11-6 in Sunday’s final at Butlins, Minehead. Continue reading “Wonderful Wright wins his maiden televised title in Minehead!”
Tournament favourite Peter Wright will take on two-time champion Raymond van Barneveld in the UK Open quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon, as Simon Whitlock, Kim Huybrechts, Alan Norris, Daryl Gurney, Ian White & Gerwyn Price all moved into the last eight on a dramatic day of action in Minehead. Continue reading “2017 UK Open Day Two Report!”
The 2017 Coral UK Open Finals kicks off at the Butlin’s Minehead Resort on Friday afternoon. World champion Michael van Gerwen will be going in search of his third successive UK Open title, but in the tournament dubbed ‘The FA Cup of Darts’- anything is possible. Josh’s Dartistry picks out his five potential outsiders for the crown. Continue reading “2017 UK Open: Five Potential Outsiders!”
Former UK Open champion Robert Thornton was dumped out in the opening session of the this year’s event, as former World-Youth champion Arron Monk came from 3-1 down to stun the world number seven on Friday afternoon at Butlins, Minehead.
Thornton started strongly, surging into a 3-1 lead by virtue of a clinical 110 checkout, helped also by two maximums. Nevertheless, Monk grew in confidence as he contest progressed, producing back-to-back 12-darters with finishes of 109 and 85 to restore parity.
Thornton’s game began to unravel and Monk converted 71 to lead for the first time, before clinching his fourth leg in succession with a two-dart 46 finish. The Scot pinned D20 to reduce the deficit to 5-4, but Monk held his nerve to seal victory with a fabulous 13-darter. This is Thornton’s fourth consecutive first-round major exit, as his struggles continue.
Former UK Open finalist Wes Newton also continues to struggle, as he suffered a shock 6-4 defeat to Riley’s amateur qualifier Rob Cross in round-two. Newton had come through a hard-fought first round tie against Mark Cox on the main stage, but the 2011 finalist failed to progress any further, which will see him fall outside of the world’s top 32.
Continue reading “UK Open Session 1 Report & Third-Round Draw!”
The 2016 Coral UK Open gets underway in Minehead on Friday afternoon as Michael van Gerwen looks to defend his title in the most unpredictable major tournament on the darting calendar. In the thirteen years since this event began, there have been thirteen different finalists. Josh’s Dartistry looks at 6 potential outsiders for the crown this year.
Alan Norris
Alan Norris is one of the form men in the PDC at present. The 2014 Lakeside finalist made the switch in January 2015 and after a difficult start initially, ‘Chuck’ has produced a series of fine performances in the past six months, which saw him reach the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace in his maiden PDC World Championship appearance.
Norris won his first PDC ranking title last October, in a Players Championship event in Ireland. This saw Alan qualify for the European Championships and the Players Championship Finals and he’s gone from strength-to-strength from this moment onwards.
Michael van Gerwen won his third UK Open qualifier of 2016 with an emphatic 6-2 win over 1996 world champion Steve Beaton, at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan on Sunday afternoon. Van Gerwen has now amassed a staggering £37,500 towards the UK Open Order of Merit in just 6 qualification events.
Van Gerwen eased through to the last 32 with comfortable victories over Michael Dawson and Nick Fullwell, for the loss of just four legs. ‘The Green Machine’ then breezed past Kevin Dowling 6-1 in the last 32, before edging past the impressive Lee Evans 6-4 to record yet another Pro-Tour quarter-final appearance.
For the second day in succession, Van Gerwen faced Phil Taylor and the outcome was the same, as MvG recorded an emphatic 6-2 victory over the 16-time world champion. The world number one was in rampant form, and secured a place in his fourth UK Open qualifier final of 2016 with a comprehensive 6-1 rout of Ian White.
However, it was a brilliant day’s work for the timeless Steve Beaton. The Adonis rolled back the years, to ensure that he will enter the UK Open in the third-round stage. Beaton was supremely consistent throughout the day, but he kicked off his qualification campaigns with narrow victories over the young duo of Ross Smith and Mike Zuydwijk.
Continue reading “Van Gerwen secures UK Open treble with victory over Beaton!”
Michael van Gerwen won his second UK Open qualifier of 2016 by defeating Welshman Gerwyn Price 6-2 in the final of UK Open qualifier 5, at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan. MvG averaged 109.44 in the final, whilst he produced the same average in his semi-final win over Phil Taylor.
Van Gerwen was in rampant form throughout Saturday’s session, and his £10,000 winner’s cheque confirms that he’ll finish 1st on the overall UK Open Order of Merit, with the sixth and final qualifier taking place tomorrow.
However, it was an equally fantastic day for Gerwyn Price. ‘The Iceman’ had amassed £1,500 from the opening four qualification events, but his run to the final ensures he will enter the UK Open at the third-round stage.
Van Gerwen faced a tricky L128 tie against Alan Norris to kick off Saturday’s proceedings, but MvG prevailed with an emphatic 6-2 victory. ‘The Green Machine’ then thrashed his compatriot Joey Ten Berge 6-1 to reach the last 32, where he then defeated Daryl Gurney 6-3, in a repeat of last weekend’s Dutch Darts Masters Final.
Continue reading “Van Gerwen defeats Price to win UK Open qualifier 5!”
World champion Gary Anderson sealed qualification to the UK Open in Minehead next month, as he defeated eight-time major winner James Wade 6-1 to win the fourth UK Open qualifier at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan.
Anderson, who was ruled out of the opening three qualifiers a fortnight ago through illness, performed superbly throughout the day, to secure his first ranking victory since winning his second World Championship title over a month ago.
‘The Flying Scotsman’ kicked off his qualification campaign with comprehensive 6-1 victories over both Darren Webster and Mike De Decker to reach the last 32, where he subsequently overcame Andrew Gilding in a tense last-leg decider.
Anderson defeated former world champion Mark Webster 6-2 in the following round, before sealing a last-four spot courtesy of a 6-3 triumph over Simon Whitlock. Anderson defeated the ever-improving Benito van de Pas 6-4 in the semi-finals, before defeating ‘The Machine’ 6-1 in the curtain raiser.
Continue reading “Anderson dispatches Wade to win UK Open qualifier 4!”
As at: February 8th 2016
Following the opening three UK Open qualifiers that took place in Wigan last weekend, here are the current UK Open Order of Merit standings. Gary Anderson is yet to register any prize money after missing out on all three qualifiers through illness, whilst a number of other established players are facing a serious fight to secure their spots in Minehead.
Adrian Lewis secured victory in the first UK Open qualifier of 2016, thanks to an emphatic 6-2 victory over 16-time world champion Phil Taylor in the final. Lewis was in tremendous form throughout the day, to scoop the £10,000 winner’s cheque at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan.
Lewis kicked off his qualification campaign with emphatic 6-1 victories over Joey Palfreyman and Ted Evetts respectively, before easing into the last 16 with a whitewash victory against Mervyn King.
‘Jackpot’ edged through a deciding leg clash against World Championship quarter-finalist Alan Norris to reach the last eight, where he dismantled Rowby-John Rodriguez 6-1. Adrian then repeated the feat in the semi-finals, thrashing Peter Wright by the same scoreline to reach the final.
Taylor had dropped just seven legs throughout the entire day’s play, but he came up against an inspired Lewis, who recorded his six winning legs in 15,14, 12, 11, 13 and 14 darts respectively. This guarantees that Adrian will enter the UK Open at the third-round stage, when the tournament kicks off in March.
Continue reading “Lewis beats Taylor to win UK Open Qualifier One!”
Michael van Gerwen ended his UK Open hoodoo, beating his arch-rival Peter Wright 11-5 in Sunday’s showpiece final. Van Gerwen’s previous best run at the UK Open was a semi-final appearance last year, where he lost to Terry Jenkins, but he rectified this statistic and claimed glory with some phenomenal displays on the final day.
Continue reading “MvG beats arch-rival Wright to reign supreme in Minehead.”
Raymond van Barneveld recorded a comprehensive 9-3 victory over defending UK Open Champion Adrian Lewis on day one in Minehead, whilst World Champion Gary Anderson, Michael Smith, Terry Jenkins and Simon Whitlock were also early casualties.
Michael van Gerwen won his fourth successive UK Open Qualifier, after surviving TEN match darts against his arch-nemesis Jelle Klaasen in today’s final. Klaasen led 5-2, but simply could not close out the match, missing eight darts to secure victory in leg 10.