Prepare for the unexpected. The UK Open, commonly alluded to as the ‘FA Cup of Darts’ due to its tendency to produce shocks and giant-killing moments, has become the hardest major tournament to succeed in. Three players outside the world’s top 16 have therefore emerged victorious in recent years at Butlin’s Minehead Resort.
Andrew Gilding and Nathan Aspinall have both scooped the spoils as 100/1 long shots in recent years and, despite 2022 champion Danny Noppert growing in stature, his name was certainly not one many expected to be engraved onto the trophy.
Michael van Gerwen, the three-time champion, and 17-year-old sensation Luke Littler are two of the favourites this year to reign supreme, as well as 2018 champion Gary Anderson who has already recorded twelve ton-plus averages this year and boasts a rolling average of almost 104 in a scintillating start to the season.
Friday evening usually provides the greatest shocks after the Premier League eight have hot-footed it from Exeter to the Somerset coast. A day that would have witnessed fairytales unfold usually reaches its conclusion with members of the world’s elite being drawn against one another or often stumble at their first hurdle.
First and second round entrants who have qualified via the Riley’s amateur qualifiers, PDC secondary tours or have recently gained professional status via Qualifying School will all be desiring that fourth round contest against one of the world’s most esteemed names who enter in the fourth round.
How will Andrew Gilding fare as defending champion?
Andrew Gilding encapsulated the essence of the UK Open twelve months ago, defeating Michael van Gerwen to become the tournament’s oldest first-time champion. Additionally, Gilding became the first former Riley’s qualifier to reign victorious, having made his debut as an amateur in 2011.
His triumph was a popular one in darting circles, with Gilding’s £110,000 in prize money allowing him to purchase his own home after renting in the same council flat for more than 20 years. It was a truly life-changing achievement for the man who reached the semi-finals eight years earlier.
Gilding has been steady so far this season yet been unable to produce the consistency that he has been showing in recent years. Entering in the fourth round as one of the world’s top 32, he will be heavily reliant on receiving a favourable draw as defending champion.
Who could become newest major champion?
A whirlwind twelve months have unfolded for Luke Littler since he made his UK Open debut as a Riley’s amateur qualifier. Now the second-favourite to lift the trophy, the teenage sensation is undoubtedly the stand-out contender to become a first-time major champion over the weekend.
Littler quietly impressed on debut last time around, only being stopped by an inspired eventual semi-finalist in Adam Gawlas, although the World Championship runner-up has showcased his prowess to the world since then and his 98.21 seasonal average is the fourth-highest on tour.
Meanwhile, Ryan Searle has captured attention ahead of his local tournament following a sensational start to the ProTour season. Having incredibly reached three finals in four Players Championship events, the world number 19 has notably recorded five ton-plus averages in his last seven matches and boasts the best functional doubles percentage in the world according to Darts Orakel.
Searle, who reached his only televised final at the same venue two years ago and was narrowly denied in a deciding leg epic against Peter Wright, can’t keep clocking astronomical numbers on the floor and not transforming them to the biggest events. A tournament of the UK Open’s nature provides him with the best opportunity of doing just that.
Chris Dobey has that Masters crown under his belt but an elusive ranking major accolade has continued to evade him. Dobey has been on the brink of greatness for some time, although he needs to now fulfil what many people expect him to achieve and this weekend could be the one that everything clicks for him.
Damon Heta has fond memories of the main stage at Butlin’s Minehead Resort and perhaps crucial experience, having toppled Michael van Gerwen two years ago. His impressive 47 percent checkout efficiency is the most prolific on tour this year, and the Aussie number one already has a title to his name.
Belgium’s Mike De Decker has been recording numbers in recent months that deserve to be recognised. His 98.24 seasonal average is the third-highest on tour and, despite him often not getting the results his performances perhaps deserve, the Belgian will be dangerous if everything comes together. He’s an obvious long shot for glory, but him potentially being allowed to work his way into the tournament on the outside boards could benefit him.
Who could conjure up the magic of the cup?
Numerous amateur players and lower-ranked professionals will be vying to steal the headlines on Friday morning into Friday afternoon. They will each be attempting to work their way through the early rounds and ensuring their names are into the hat for the fourth round.
Leonard Gates, who qualified at Riley’s Victoria in London, is the most renowned amateur qualifier. He won three televised titles on the World Seniors Tour last year, and the American is the stand-out Riley’s representative when it comes to someone capable of producing shocks.
His fellow Riley’s qualifiers in Connor Scutt and Thomas Lovely both impressed on the opening PDC Challenge Tour weekend, having been somewhat unfortunate to not come through Qualifying School, although both have been handed difficult draws in Wesley Plaisier and Brett Claydon.
Meanwhile, there’s a valid argument that Challenge Tour qualifier Darryl Pilgrim is the favourite to reach the fourth round. Pilgrim posted two 110 averages on the opening Challenge Tour weekend and performed well despite being winless on the ProTour. His promising statistics suggest he that will overcome Josh Richardson, Keegan Brown and Jamie Hughes.
Steve Lennon has been sensational so far this year heading into his sixth UK Open, recording a rolling average of 94.18 and having already posted five ton-plus averages this season. The Qualifying School graduate enters in round two, having beaten Gerwyn Price and Dimitri Van den Bergh on his way to a ProTour quarter-final last month.
Another two Qualifying School graduates in Lakeside world champion Andy Baetens and ranking event semi-finalist Dom Taylor both have the minerals needed to progress. Neither have made the impact they’d have wanted on the ProTour but it’s only a matter of time until things fall into place.
