Penhall Dominates Tour to Earn Ally Pally Spot

Darren Penhall will make his World Darts Championship debut in December, after rounding off the 2023 DartPlayers Australia Pro Tour season with a brace of titles last weekend.

The latest weekend of DPA Pro Tour action saw Events 22-25 take place on September 16-17, with Penhall and Jeremy Fagg claiming two titles apiece in Warilla.

Penhall featured in all four finals across the weekend, and he kicked off Saturday’s double-header with Event 22 success, edging out Fagg in a last-leg shoot-out to triumph.

The 50-year-old fired in a 14-dart hold to prevail in a contest which saw all nine legs go with throw, having also accounted for David Williams and Gordon Mathers in the latter stages of the tournament.

However, Fagg gained revenge with a sensational display in the Event 23 showpiece, averaging over 101 to dispatch Penhall and clinch his second title in the space of three events.

Fagg earlier defied a 99 average from Mal Cuming to win through a fascinating semi-final tussle, after also dumping out Williams and Bill Aitken on his path to glory.

Penhall returned to winning ways in Event 24, sealing a comprehensive 5-1 victory against former World Championship qualifier Cuming, who converted a 151 checkout to win his solitary leg.

Former Tour Card Holder Penhall relinquished just six legs in winning the title, overcoming David Cairns, John Bunyard and Williams to cap off another dominant campaign.

Nevertheless, he was denied a hat-trick of titles by Fagg, who stormed to a whitewash win over the DPA Order of Merit leader to claim the Event 25 spoils in Sunday’s finale.

The Australian averaged almost 103 in his opening-round win against Aaron Gardner, which he followed with victories over Daniel Pearson and Cuming.

Penhall had posted a ton-plus average in his semi-final rout of Aitken, and he also registered wins against Daniel Sim and David Cairns to reach his fourth consecutive DPA Pro Tour final.

Penhall has dominated the DPA circuit in 2023, reaching 18 finals in 25 events, and winning 13 of those to boast an emphatic lead at the top of the DPA Order of Merit.

He will be joined at Alexandra Palace by the winner of next month’s DPA Oceanic Masters, which will take place at the Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club from October 20-22.