James Hurrell picked up his maiden PDC title on Monday, after winning the final Challenge Tour Event of the year and defeating Owen Bates in the final.
Bates, the runner-upon the day, secured a place at the 2023/24 World Darts Championship and a Two-Year Tour Card for 2024/25, as the PDC’s second-tier tour season concluded in Wigan.
Hurrell, who’d reached just one Semi Final previously on the Challenge Tour in 2023, reached his first final of the season by recording victories against Jelle Klaasen, John Henderson, Martijn Dragt, Max Hopp, Steve Haggerty and Darryl Pilgrim, to set up a clash with Bates.
The final began with three straight holds of throw between the pair, before Hurrell broke Bates’ throw for the first time in Leg Four with a 12 darter to move 3-1 ahead in a race to five.
Bates’ immediately broke back in the following leg, before Hurrell won back-to-back legs in a total of 28 darts to seal a 5-2 victory and pick up a first PDC title of his career.
Despite defeat in the final, Owen Bates secured a debut appearance at the World Darts Championship in December and a Two-Year Tour Card for the first time
Owen claimed 2nd spot overall on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit, leapfrogging John Henderson in 3rd with his final event Semi Final victory against Mike Warburton.
PDC Winmau Challenge Tour
Event 24
Quarter Finals
James Hurrell 5-2 Steve Haggerty
Darryl Pilgrim 5-1 Andy Jenkins
Mike Warburton 5-2 Thibault Tricole
Owen Bates 5-4 Peter Jacques
Semi Finals
James Hurrell 5-2 Darryl Pilgrim
Owen Bates 5-4 Mike Warburton
Final
James Hurrell 5-2 Owen Bates
—–Ends—–
Images: WDF
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