Darts
2024 UK Open: 17-year-old Jenson Walker Amongst First Round Winners
Darts fans witnessed an electrifying start to the 2024 Ladbrokes UK Open at Butlins Minehead, with 60 players vying in the tournament's opening round. Notable highlights included Haupai Puha's stunning debut victory over Jelle Klaasen and 17-year-old Jenson Walker's impressive win against Sebastian Bialecki. As the action unfolds, anticipation builds for the intense competition ahead.
The 2024 UK Open Commences
As the 2024 Ladbrokes UK Open kicked off at Butlins Minehead, the darting arena buzzed with anticipation as 60 players embarked on the competition’s first round. With the thrill of best-of-11 legs matches, the venue was set for intense competition across the various stages.
Known as the FA Cup of Darts, this competition stands as one of the most thrilling events on the PDC circuit, offering a shot at glory to darts players of all backgrounds, be they part-time enthusiasts, semi-pros, or seasoned PDC Professionals. Adding to its allure is the element of unpredictability, with each round featuring a random draw, ensuring that anyone could potentially face off against anyone else at any stage of the tournament.
To find the comprehensive results of the first round, simply scroll down to the end of this article.
Debutant Puha Poisons The Cobra
In a riveting encounter on the UK Open mainstage stage, former Premier League star Jelle Klaasen faced off against the promising New Zealander, Haupai Puha.
Puha, making his debut in this prestigious tournament, showcased his skill early on with impressive scoring, including a clutch three-dart checkout of 76 in the fourth leg to level the game at 2-2. Seizing the opportunity, Puha broke Klaasen's throw in the fifth leg, taking a narrow 3-2 lead.
Despite Klaasen's efforts to retaliate with a 76-checkout of his own, Puha maintained his momentum, eventually securing a 6-4 victory with a composed 60-checkout. Klaasen, far from his peak form that saw him reach the semi-finals in 2016, succumbed to Puha's debut brilliance, exiting the tournament in the first round.
Puha now sets his sights on a second-round clash against Wesley Plaisier, following his thrilling 6-5 triumph over Connor Scutt.
Image credit: PDC
Another 17-year-old Starboy
Making his televised PDC debut on the mainstage in Minehead, 17-year-old schoolboy Jenson Walker burst onto the scene with an explosive start. Commanding the match from the outset, Walker displayed remarkable prowess by clinching the first three legs in style, punctuated by three 140s and a 180.
Despite his opponent, the talented young Pole Sebastian Bialecki, struggling to maintain a three-dart average above 80, Walker's nerves crept in momentarily as he missed two match darts with a 6-3 victory within grasp.
However, showing resilience beyond his years, Walker composed himself and sealed the deal with a decisive double 20 in the next leg, ultimately securing a hard-fought 6-4 triumph. Bialecki, unable to replicate his quarter-final feat from the 2022 UK Open, fell victim to Walker's remarkable upset in the first round.
Next in line for Walker is a showdown with Tim Wolters, who delivered a dominant performance against YouTube darts sensation Ashley Coleman.
Image credit: PDC
Full Round One Results
Haupai Puha 6, Jelle Klaasen 4
Sebastian Bialecki 4, Jenson Walker 6
Connor Scutt 5, Wesley Plaisier 6
Rusty-Jake Rodriguez 1, Ron Meulenkamp 6
Jules van Dongen 5, Thibault Tricole 6
Danny Lauby 6, Nathan Rafferty 3
Christian Kist 3, Patrick Geeraets 6
Leighton Bennett 4, Scott Mitchell 6
Matthew Dennant 6, Jeffrey de Graaf 4
Conan Whitehead 4, Leonard Gates 6
Dom Taylor 6, Brandon Western 5
Lukas Wenig 4, Tom Lonsdale 6
Kevin Burness 4, John Henderson 6
Owen Bates 6, Andy Boulton 5
Jack Male 6, Martijn Dragt 5
Ashley Coleman 3, Tim Wolters 6
Bradly Roes 4, Benjamin Drue-Reus 6
Jitse van der Wal 3, Johnny Haines 6
Bradley Brooks 6, Cam Crabtree 3
Paul Krohne 5, Michael Taylor 6
George Killington 6, Radek Szaganski 4
Darryl Pilgrim 5, Joshua Richardson 6
Joe Croft 6, William Borland 5
Jason Hogg 4, Darren Beveridge 6
Harry Lane 6, Dominik Gruellich 3
Harry Gregory 5, Rhys Griffin 6
Michele Turetta 3, Robert Grundy 6
David Sumner 3, Wessel Nijman 6
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