World Youth Championship
DIMITRI VAN DEN BERGH claimed glory in the PDC Unicorn World Youth Championship with a superb 6-3 win over Josh Payne in Sunday’s final at the Butlins Minehead Resort.
The pair had won through to the decider earlier in November when the last 64 faced off in the early rounds in Wigan, where Payne ended Corey Cadby’s reign as the champion.
It was Belgian youngster Van den Bergh, though, who scooped the £10,000 title with a fine display in Minehead, averaging 101.23 and hitting six doubles from ten attempts. He took a two-leg lead courtesy of double top and double 16 before Payne landed a 180 and an 84 finish to hit back.
Van den Bergh hit tops in successive legs as he moved 4-1 up, and countered a 108 checkout from Payne with an outstanding 146 checkout to lead 5-2. Payne hit double 16 to stay in the game, but Van den Bergh scored 177 and 150 to leave 36 in the next before a third-dart double 18 sealed the title.
“It’s unbelievable to win this title,” said Van den Bergh. “It feels like a dream and it’s absolutely amazing.
“Winning this says something about what may happen for me in the future. It’s a step forward and there’s a whole lot more to come for me.
“It’s very important for me. Playing this tournament has prepared me well for the World Championship and whoever I play there will need to be ready.”
PRIZE FUND:
Winner £10,000 + place in 2017/18 William Hill World Championship + place in 2018 GSoD
Runner-Up £5,000 + place in 2018 GSoD
Semi-Finalists £2,500
Quarter-Finalists £1,500
Third Round Losers £1,000
Second Round Losers £500
First Round Losers £250
Total £50,000
HISTORY:
YEAR RUNNER-UP SCORE CHAMPION
| 2011 | Michael van Gerwen (87.06) (Netherlands) |
4–6 | Arron Monk (84.25) (England) |
| 2012 | Michael van Gerwen (92.29) (Netherlands) |
3–6 | James Hubbard (95.18) (England) |
| 2013 | Ricky Evans (79.26) (England) |
1–6 | Michael Smith (89.13) (England) |
| 2014 | Rowby-John Rodriguez (79.80) (Austria) |
4–6 | Keegan Brown (85.67) (England) |
| 2015 | Nathan Aspinall (88.48) (England) |
5–6 | Max Hopp (86.97) (Germany) |
| 2016 | Berry van Peer (86.92) (Netherlands) |
2–6 | Corey Cadby (98.35) (Australia) |
INCENTIVES:
PDC Rule 6.9 The following incentives are on offer to players competing in the Development Tour and World Youth Championship:
*The finalists of the 2017 World Youth Championship receive a one-year invitation to the 2018 Grand Slam of Darts subject to the entry criteria as stated in rule 3.1.
*The winner of the 2017 World Youth Championship receives an invitation to the 2017/18 World Championship.
NOTE: in the event of the players who achieve the above otherwise qualifying for the 2018 Grand Slam of Darts or 2017/18 World Championship, or rejecting their invitations, no further places shall be offered.
