Steve Haggerty and Stu Wilson picked up their maiden Challenge Tour titles on Saturday, in winning Events 3 & 4, as the opening weekend of the PDC’s second tier tour season continuing in Milton Keynes.
Friday saw the 2022 PDC Challenge Tour season commence, with Scott Williams going all the way in both events, in picking up £4,000 in prize money.
In Event 3, it was Steve Haggerty who was victorious, as he came through four last leg shootouts in reaching the decider, after recording victories over John Bowles, Chris Craven, Lisa Ashton, Kai Gotthardt, Gary Blades, Graham Hall and Matthew Edgar, to set up a clash with Haupai Puha.
Nothing separated the pair in the decider, with a run of nine consecutive holds of throw, with the advantage of throwing first in the opener for Haggerty, proved to be decisive as sealed the victory with a 19 dart hold in the decider to take the title and pick up the £2,000 1st prize.
In Event 4, it was Stu Wilson who was victorious, as he dropped just 18 legs in reaching the decider, after recording victories over Jarred Cole, Sean Fisher, Steven Beasley, Jimmy Van Schie, Maikel Verberk, Leighton Bennett and Gavin Carlin, to set up a clash with Pete Burgoyne.
The final began with four consecutive holds of throw, with Wilson breaking Burgoyne’s throw for the first time in leg five to move 3-2 up with a 17 darter, before following up a 13 darter to move within one of victory, leaving his opponent needing to win three on the spin to keep his title hopes alive. Burgoyne did pull one leg back, before Wilson sealed the victory in leg eight with a 17 darter to pick up a 1st Challenge Tour title of his career.
The PDC Unicorn Challenge Tour weekend concludes on Sunday with Event 5 taking place in Milton Keynes, as play commences from 10:00 GMT, with all live scores and results to be viewed at tv.dartconnect.com
PDC Unicorn Challenge Tour
Event 3
Quarter Finals
Matthew Edgar 5-4 Daniel Klose
Steve Haggerty 5-3 Graham Hall
Haupai Puha 5-2 Jim McEwan
Lee Evans 5-1 Andy Jenkins
Semi Finals
Steve Haggerty 5-4 Matthew Edgar
Haupai Puha 5-2 Lee Evans
Final
Steve Haggerty 5-4 Haupai Puha
Event 4
Quarter Finals
Ryan De Vreede 5-4 Roman Benecky
Pete Burgoyne 5-2 Jeremy Van der Winkel
Stu Wilson 5-2 Leighton Bennett
Gavin Carlin 5-4 Carlo Van Peer
Semi Finals
Pete Burgoyne 5-2 Ryan De Vreede
Stu Wilson 5-3 Gavin Carlin
Final
Stu Wilson 5-3 Pete Burgoyne
