Celebrating its Golden Anniversary year, the British Open crowned two champions who might not even be old enough to remember life before TikTok. Scotland’s Mitchell Lawrie, aged just fourteen, and England’s Paige Pauling, a few years his senior, sensationally scooped one the amateur game’s most coveted prize. Forget waiting your turn – these two barged straight to the top table.
For anyone following their fledgling careers, it’s no surprise. Both have been hoovering up youth titles like over-caffeinated vacuum cleaners. Now, they’re mixing with the grown-ups and still snaffling silverware for fun.
Lawrie’s triumph was especially eye-popping. Back in 1982, the legendary Jocky Wilson became the first Scot to lift the British Open, followed by big names like Gary Anderson and Ross Montgomery. But none were as young as Lawrie – in fact, nobody has ever been this young. He stormed through the field with ton-plus averages, then whitewashed fellow Scot Ryan Hogarth 5-0 in the final as if he were swatting away midges.
Naturally, the Scot added the Youth title for good measure, bagelling another highly thought of youngster, Mason Teese in the final. Two trophies, fourteen years old – greedy, but fair play.
Meanwhile, Paige Pauling continues her rise as one of the brightest stars in the women’s game. Listing all her youth titles would take longer than a James Wade walk-on, but this British Open crown may well top the lot. After edging the Girls Youth event showdown over Ruby Grey to add that to her collection, she dropped only seven legs on her way to the Ladies’ title, beating Macy Gibbons 5-2 in the final. That puts her in illustrious company – Gulliver, Hedman, Sherrock, Ashton, Greaves – and now Pauling.
Elsewhere, North Yorkshire’s Oliver Mitchell claimed the British Men’s Classic after outlasting Lawrie (the other one) in a cracking 5-3 final. Tom Sykes took home bragging rights with a monstrous 120 average earlier in the event, though after falling in the quarter-final, claimed he had run out of steam. Probable translation: one too many pints.
The Ladies’ Classic went to top seed Aletta Wajer of the Netherlands who comprehensively overcame Ruby Grey 5-1. Still, Miss Grey will be more than happy with her weekend exploits. Not as happy as Wajer or dare I say Paige Pauling, but pretty pleased nonetheless.
Darts World columnist Natalie Gilbert made a welcome return from injury as she reached her first WDF semi-final of the season before falling to Wajer.
Continuing to head in the right direction – Jenson Walker snagged yet another WDF title as he bagged the Friday night Men’s Trial. Great stuff once again from The Interceptor who got in the way of compatriot Adam Beck in the final. See what I did there?
And finally onto the Pairs. The Men’s Open saw Cayden Smith & Lewis Gurney edge Lewis Pride & Scott Waites, while Pauling Paige grabbed her hat-trick alongside Vicky Prum in the Ladies’ Open doubles defeating Macy Gibbons and Taylor Field.
All in all, Royal Bridlington under the expert guidance of the WDF once again proved the future of darts is not just safe – it’s already winning everything in sight. The kids aren’t just all right; they’re running the show.
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Images: WDF
