Christian Kist claimed his third Winmau Challenge Tour title of 2024 on Sunday, defeating Connor Scutt 5-2 in a high-quality Event 20 final in Milton Keynes.
Former Lakeside champion Kist won back-to-back Challenge Tour titles in June, and he returned to winning ways at the Marshall Arena to move up to third on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit.
The Dutchman was forced to survive a major scare in a heavyweight opening round tie against Ted Evetts, emerging through a last-leg shoot-out before sweeping aside Giovanni Stecconi and Sam Spivey.
Kist then delivered his performance of the day to dump out Event 19 runner-up Lee Cocks, averaging 101.44 to close out a 5-2 victory and move through to the last 16.
The 38-year-old maintained his march towards glory with wins over Harry Lane and John O’Shea, before a 5-2 success against his compatriot Derk Telnekes set up a tantalising clash against Scutt.
Scutt – eyeing his third Challenge Tour crown of 2024 – established an early 2-1 lead, only for Kist to reel off four consecutive legs to take the title, which he wrapped up with a superb 130 checkout.
Despite his defeat to a clinical Kist, Scutt’s run to Sunday’s final saw him regain top spot on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit at the expense of Wesley Plaisier.
The 28-year-old produced a string of superb performances at the Marshall Arena, the highlight being a staggering 111.98 average in his last 16 demolition of Daniel Ayres.
Scutt also landed ton-topping averages against Simon Stothart and Justin Hood, having edged out Scottish icon John Henderson in a compelling first round encounter.
The year’s fifth and final weekend of Winmau Challenge Tour action will take place later this year, as Leicester’s Mattioli Arena plays host to Events 21-24 on November 2-3.
The top two players from the final 2024 Challenge Tour Order of Merit will secure a PDC Tour Card for 2025/26 and a place in the 2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
Scutt leads Plaisier by just £50 with four events remaining, while Kist has climbed above his fellow countryman Danny Jansen into third position, a further £775 adrift of Plaisier.
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2024 Winmau Challenge Tour
Sunday August 18, Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes
Event 20
Quarter-Finals
Derk Telnekes 5-2 Thomas Banks
Christian Kist 5-2 John O'Shea
Connor Scutt 5-1 Justin Hood
Thomas Lovely 5-4 Ryan O'Connor
Semi-Finals
Christian Kist 5-2 Derk Telnekes
Connor Scutt 5-2 Thomas Lovely
Final
Christian Kist 5-2 Connor Scutt