Aussie arrows ace Simon Whitlock has won his first ranking title for almost two years by defeating Andy Hamilton 6-4 in the final of Sunday’s Players Championship at the Barnsley Metrodome.
Whitlock, who has lost in the McCoy’s Premier League Darts and Cash Converters World Cup finals this year, picked up his first Players Championship victory since October 2010 as he edged out Hamilton for the £6,000 first prize.
Final – Leg-By-Leg
Simon Whitlock v Andy Hamilton
0-1 – Hamilton takes out 99 to win the opening leg.
0-2 – Hamilton lands a 171 and steps in following Whitlock’s missed tops to break throw and double his lead on double eight.
1-2 – Whitlock scores 180, 140 and 145 before finishing 36 on double 18 for an 11-darter.
2-2 – Double four for Whitlock sees him level matters.
2-3 – Hamilton is first to a finish, courtesy of three ton-plus scores, as he regains the lead on double eight.
3-3 – Whitlock levels with a fine 14-dart finish, ending on double ten.
3-4 – Whitlock misses two darts to break on 63 and Hamilton returns to edge back ahead on double eight.
4-4 – Whitlock opens with a 180 and also scores 99 and 134 before taking out 88 for another 11-darter.
5-4 – Whitlock breaks by finishing double eight.
6-4 – Whitlock hits a 180 to leave 64 after 12 darts and takes out the finish on double 16 to claim his ranking title since October 2010.