Cazoo UK Open to feature 16 Rileys Amateur Qualifiers

Ladbrokes UK Open

The 2022 Cazoo UK Open will give 16 amateur players the chance to win through Rileys Qualifiers to secure a spot at Butlin's Minehead Resort in March.

Cazoo become World Darts Championship sponsors in new multi-event deal

Paddy Power World Darts Championship

Cazoo is expanding its darts sponsorship portfolio to include the World Darts Championship along with the UK Open, Players Championship Finals and Masters.

2022 PDC calendar confirmed up to end of October

News

The 2022 PDC calendar will see over 150 days of darts played from January to October.

PDC and Butlin’s extend partnership until 2023

News

The Professional Darts Corporation and Butlin's have extended their partnership until at least the end of 2023.

Ambitious Humphries reveals Premier League dream

Ladbrokes UK Open

Luke Humphries has revealed his ambition to play in the Premier League in the future.

History-maker Wade savouring the moment

Ladbrokes UK Open

Ladbrokes UK Open champion James Wade admits he is savouring his success more than he did earlier in his career.

PDC Order of Merit latest after Ladbrokes UK Open

Ladbrokes UK Open

James Wade is up to fourth in the world following the Ladbrokes UK Open.

Wade completes Ladbrokes UK Open hat-trick

Ladbrokes UK Open

James Wade landed his third Ladbrokes UK Open title, defeating Luke Humphries 11-5 in the final.

Van Gerwen & Price reach quarter-finals of Ladbrokes UK Open

Ladbrokes UK Open

Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price were among the eight players to reach the Ladbrokes UK Open quarter-finals.

James Wade landed his third Ladbrokes UK Open title in Milton Keynes on Sunday, defeating Luke Humphries 11-5 in the final.

Now a winner of ten televised ranking titles, Wade expanded his impressive trophy haul with a first UK Open crown since 2011 thanks to a weekend of consistent performances at the Marshall Arena.

Almost 13 years on from his first UK Open title, Wade's success sees him join Phil Taylor in winning televised PDC titles across three decades.

In addition, the £100,000 winner's prize sees him move up to fourth in the PDC Order of Merit, overtaking Rob Cross as the highest-ranked Englishman.

His first TV success since November 2018 was secured with a typically clinical display in the final against Humphries, who knocked out reigning champion Michael van Gerwen in the semis with a brilliant display but was unable to repeat the feat in the decider.

Experience won the day as Wade - who averaged 102.52 and was on target with 41% of his checkout attempts - made the former World Youth Champion pay for 20 missed doubles.

"To win TV titles across three decades is something I'm very proud of," said Wade. "I'm enjoying it again, I think I've reinvented myself.

"I'm very happy to be in the world of darts, it's a great place to be when you're winning.

"I'm here to provide stability for my son and winning these allows me to do that.

"Luke is quality, he's a gentleman and he showed his quality in the way he dismantled Michael [van Gerwen] in the semi-finals."

In reaching the final Wade was at his unflappable best in defeating world number one Gerwyn Price 11-6 in the semi-finals, having produced a 10-8 comeback win over Simon Whitlock in the afternoon's quarter-finals.

Wade's route to the title began with a scare from Ryan Joyce in round four as he came through a last-leg decider, before defeating Cross and Germany's Gabriel Clemens in rounds five and six on Saturday.

Despite coming up short in his first televised final, two-time World Youth Champion Humphries continued his progression and produced a sensational 107.41 average in his 11-5 semi-final win over Van Gerwen.

Humphries, who edged out Dave Chisnall 10-9 in the quarter-finals, pockets the £40,000 runners-up prize moves up eight places to 33rd on the PDC Order of Merit.

"It's been an incredible weekend for me, an emotional weekend," the 26-year-old reflected.

"To reach a TV final is the most unbelievable feeling. I think James is the best player in the world under pressure and he showed it in that game.

"I'm here to achieve big things in darts and this run puts me in good stead going forward.

"I want to be playing the best players week-in, week-out. I know I've got the game to do it. Tonight it wasn't my night, but I'm proud of what I've achieved."

The Ladbrokes UK Open reached its climax on Sunday after 151 players competed in the tournament's opening day on Friday.

South Africa's Devon Petersen reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015, while Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski made it to the last eight for the first time before losing to Van Gerwen.

Drawboard