The PDC’s UK Open Butlins bonanza bursts into life at their Minehead Resort this weekend, and for a select cadre commencing their odyssey in round one, the frequently arduous darts pilgrimage to the Somerset coastline represents merely the prologue to what they fervently hope will evolve into an indelible and triumphant expedition.
For sixty-four aspirants, the pursuit of glory begins at the most distant outpost from the glittering silverware awaiting at the finishing line. In a field saturated with tungsten aristocracy and combustible talent, even the embryonic skirmishes carry the resonance of consequence. Among those tasked with igniting proceedings are several eminently recognisable protagonists.
With a labyrinth of permutations governing the Friday evening fixtures, DartsWorld will concentrate on a confirmed encounter from each the opening three rounds – the clashes that demand attention.
ROUND ONE
Stefan Bellmont v Charlie Manby
Last season’s Challenge Tour pacesetter, Bellmont, collides with Champagne Charlie in a pairing neither camp would have greeted with unbridled enthusiasm. The 36-year-old Swiss marksman makes only his second UK Open appearance following a premature exit twelve months ago. Manby, conversely, embarks upon his Minehead baptism. Indeed, his solitary major venture thus far came at Alexandra Palace, where he authored a commendable run that elevated his stock considerably. This is one of the scarce all–Tour Card confrontations in round one, and the victor will find little respite in their next outing, with a second professional adversary awaiting in either Tyler Thorpe or Croatia’s Pero Ljubic.
ROUND TWO
Daryl Pilgrim v Beau Greaves
Croydon chucker Daryl Pilgrim has been handed what many would deem a decidedly inauspicious draw in three-time Lakeside world champion Beau Greaves. This marks Pilgrim’s sixth UK Open appearance since 2017, with a pair of third-round excursions constituting his most distinguished showings. Greaves, meanwhile, returns to Minehead having last visited in pursuit of the PDC World Youth crown, denied in November by Gian van Veen. In this very tournament twelve months ago, she commanded attention by subjecting then world number one Luke Humphries to an exacting fourth-round examination before departing with considerable credit intact.
ROUND THREE
Karel Sedlacek v Raymond van Barneveld
Only a smattering of third-round ties is already chiselled in stone, yet one scintillating encounter commands immediate intrigue: top ranked Czech, Karel Sedlacek versus the legendary Dutchman, Raymond van Barneveld. Alongside Peter Wright, Barney is among the earliest UK Open winners to enter the fray at this juncture, and his passage is anything but perfunctory. Off the oche, Sedlacek is a genial presence. On it, Evil Charlie transmutes into something far more predatory. For the two-time UK Open victor harbouring aspirations of an unlikely hat-trick, this constitutes a perilous and potentially treacherous inaugural hurdle.
We could have selected at least another half a dozen more ties. Sebastian Bialecki against Christian Kist is a match up between two player returning to the their best form and may prove a thriller. First time qualifier Neil Wild is in a battle of the ages as he matches up to Derbyshire teen star Henry Coates
It all commences on Friday. The superstars are already in situ, the outer boards primed, the main stage illuminated. Before the highest-ranked luminaries descend upon Minehead, the theatre is set for drama, upheaval and the sort of delirious unpredictability that renders the UK Open so uniquely enthralling. There are plenty of scrumptious looking starters to get stuck into before the main courses arrive at the table.
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC
