MULTIPLE World Seniors major winner Leonard Gates will make his Ladbrokes UK Open debut next month, after winning through last weekend’s Rileys Amateur Qualifiers.
Gates, from the USA, a former World Championship, World Cup and Grand Slam of Darts participant, won through Sunday’s Rileys Victoria Qualifier in London to book his spot in the 160-player field at Butlin’s Minehead Resort from March 1-3.
The 53-year-old defeated Christopher Holt 5-3 to confirm his big stage return, after Joe Croft and Jack Male celebrated success in Saturday’s events in South Benfleet and Liverpool respectively.
Croft – the grandson of the late Olly Croft, who founded the British Darts Organisation – defeated Gates in Saturday’s South Benfleet showpiece to confirm his qualification.
The 30-year-old has been a regular feature on the Winmau Challenge Tour over recent years, and he emerged through a 103-player field to secure a spot in his first televised PDC event.
Male, meanwhile, claimed victory in Saturday’s Liverpool qualifier to continue his progress in the sport, having competed in last year’s Winmau World Youth Championship.
The Rileys Amateur Qualifiers conclude on February 17-18, as the final four knockout events take place at Rileys clubs in Chorlton, Norwich, Liverpool and Coventry.
Entries will cost £10 and are available through the Rileys website – with entry open to all players over the age of 16 who do not hold a PDC Tour Card.
Online entries will close at 1700 GMT on the day before a qualifying event takes place. Please note that some venues cannot permit entries for under-18s. Please see the Rileys website for full details.
2024 Rileys Amateur Qualifiers
Dates & Venues
Saturday January 20
Rileys Chester – David Sumner
Sunday January 21
Rileys Coventry – Johnny Haines
Saturday January 27
Rileys Norwich – Ashley Coleman
Rileys Solihull – Jenson Walker
Sunday January 28
Rileys Victoria (London) – Harry Lane
Rileys Liverpool – Harry Gregory
Saturday February 3
Rileys Harlow – Connor Scutt
Rileys Chorlton – Michael Taylor
Sunday February 4
Rileys Aberdeen – Jason Hogg
Saturday February 10
Rileys South Benfleet – Joe Croft
Rileys Liverpool – Jack Male
Sunday February 11
Rileys Victoria (London) – Leonard Gates
Saturday February 17
Rileys Chorlton
Rileys Norwich
Sunday February 18
Rileys Liverpool
Rileys Coventry
—–ENDS—–
Images: WAST / Chris Sargeant
Grab the current print Issue 584 here or a 50th Anniversary Darts World bundle 581 here
The Darts World 50 limited edition dart set is available to order (Here) in your choice of pack
