Gian van Veen successfully defended his PDC Winmau World Youth Championship title, as he dealt with the tricky test of Beau Greaves to take a 6-3 win in the final in Minehead.
The Dutchman was a runner-up to Luke Littler in 2023, and then dramatically defeated Jurjen van der Velde in a last-leg thriller to take the title in 2024, and here, he had just enough to turn back the challenge of ‘Beau & Arrow’ at Butlins.
The two had come through a group and knockout stage full of talent in Wigan a month earlier, with three-time World Champion Greaves derailing the bid of Littler in the last four, posting a monster 105 average and producing an 11-dart break of throw to do so in a decider.
van Veen had defeated the likes of Cam Crabtree and Sebastian Bialecki on the way to the final, to keep his defence on track.
The European Champion held throw in 14 darts before Greaves levelled in the final, but van Veen then raced into a 4-1 advantage thanks to a 68 finish, and it looked like he had taken full control of the contest.
Doncaster’s Greaves battled back, taking two straight legs to close to 4-3 behind, but she was made to rue five missed darts at double to restore parity, and van Veen punished, a 13-darter making it 5-3, before a 118 checkout confirmed his second straight victory in Somerset, along with a £12,000 first prize.
“I’m over the moon. It feels really good to retain my title,” said van Veen post-match.
“I’m only the second player to retain the title after Dimitri, and to see what Dimi has done since – winning the World Matchplay and UK Open – I think they are encouraging signs for myself.
“Of course I won my first major title a couple of weeks ago, but we all know Beau is a fantastic player, so this gives me a massive confidence boost going into the World Championship.
“Ally Pally hasn’t been my favourite hunting ground. I haven’t won a game there yet, but I’m a completely different player to 12 months ago, so I’m really looking forward to it.
“This weekend has given me massive confidence, not just beating Beau but also beating Luke Humphries on Friday, so hopefully it’s going to be my year.”
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