Peter Wright Claims UK Open for 1st TV Title
Butlins, Minehead witnessed an historic event Sunday evening as Peter Wright won his 1st ever televised PDC title, the Coral UK Open. Snakebite put on a comprehensive display of darts on the final day, triumphing 11-6 over Welshman Gerwyn Price in the UK Open Final. Wright was handed a tough Quarter-Final match-up with fellow Premier League player Raymond Van Barneveld, both men putting on a World Class display. The fixture was back and forth between both players, when at 7-8 down Peter Wright put in some heavy hitting scores combined with clinical finishing to win 10-8 and set-up a Semi-Final match-up with Northern Irishman Daryl Gurney. After posting a strong 110 average, Wright didn’t look back after beating Barney, seeing off Gurney comfortably 11-5 to set-up an all Red Dragon Final with Gerwyn ‘Iceman’ Price. Gurney couldn’t cope with Wright’s high scoring, but can hold his head up high after strong performance throughout the 3 days.
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Runner-up Gerwyn Price[/caption]
Price himself took out some high-profile names on his way to the Final, including a dramatic 160 checkout in the final leg to defeat Ian White 10-9 in the Quarters. The Iceman then came-up against an in-form Alan Norris, fresh off his PDC Player’s Championship win the weekend prior. Price kept his cool however, putting on some fabulous darts to defeat ‘Chuck’ Norris 11-9. In front of a packed crowd, Peter Wright was in a buoyant mood as he took to the stage for his 3rd UK Open Final in 3 years. On both previous occasions Wright lost-out to Dutchman Michael Van Gerwen, who missed out on this weekend’s Finals with a back-injury. The final saw some great darts but Wright over-powered his opponent despite a mini-comeback being mounted at 8-3 up, Gerwyn Price putting in some strong finishes to pull the fixture back to 8-6. Wright rallied and kicked-on though to seal the title 11-6 with a fitting 130 checkout in the final leg, finishing on the bull. Gerwyn’s runner-up finish sees him shoot up the PDC Order of Merit into 17th, the Welsh ace can be proud of his achievement reaching first TV Final just 3 years after turning professional.
Check out the PDC website for comprehensive coverage: http://www.pdc.tv/news
Runner-up Gerwyn Price[/caption]
Price himself took out some high-profile names on his way to the Final, including a dramatic 160 checkout in the final leg to defeat Ian White 10-9 in the Quarters. The Iceman then came-up against an in-form Alan Norris, fresh off his PDC Player’s Championship win the weekend prior. Price kept his cool however, putting on some fabulous darts to defeat ‘Chuck’ Norris 11-9. In front of a packed crowd, Peter Wright was in a buoyant mood as he took to the stage for his 3rd UK Open Final in 3 years. On both previous occasions Wright lost-out to Dutchman Michael Van Gerwen, who missed out on this weekend’s Finals with a back-injury. The final saw some great darts but Wright over-powered his opponent despite a mini-comeback being mounted at 8-3 up, Gerwyn Price putting in some strong finishes to pull the fixture back to 8-6. Wright rallied and kicked-on though to seal the title 11-6 with a fitting 130 checkout in the final leg, finishing on the bull. Gerwyn’s runner-up finish sees him shoot up the PDC Order of Merit into 17th, the Welsh ace can be proud of his achievement reaching first TV Final just 3 years after turning professional.
Check out the PDC website for comprehensive coverage: http://www.pdc.tv/news