A busy and interesting week is ahead for tungsten fans as we enter the third week of August. Friday sees the final leg of the 2026 World Series of Darts for the PDC elite and Aussies who have been invited to represent in Woolagong.
Former Grand Slam champion Jose De Sousa makes a MODUS Super Series debut in an intriguing field and a vital set of Women’s Series events will bring the 2026 campaign to a close.
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Luke Littler is the reigning Champion in Australia and so the event will change hands this time. Will the Welsh duo of Clayton and Price dominate once again?
The WDF affiliated Swedish/Sweden Open continues its long established, and for a long time relatively lonely, summer slot for those playing the amateur/semi pro codes.
Last year’s Women’s Series weekend was utterly dominated by Beau Greaves who won all four events in the midst of her historic efforts, will there be more variety this time?
There has certainly been a greater mix this year and a welcome return to form and fortune for some of the top ladies. Deta Hedman, Fallon Sherrock and Lisa Ashton have all looked strong at times and they have been joined by Gemma Hayter in the pool of those most likely to cause upsets and win titles. We could be in for a real treat.
10 Years Ago
Phil Taylor won the equivalent Australian sojourn as he picked up the then Sydney Masters with a superb final victory over MVG. The Power averaged 105 (to Michael’s 104) in an 11-9 thriller. Speaking of dominant characters, the Swedish Open was claimed by Glen Durrant who was in the midst of sweeping all before him in the BDO/WDF organisation.
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50 Years Ago
As it had been part of the calendar since 1969 you can see a vast array of names on the roll of honour of the Swedish Open from Barry Twomlow to Scott Mitchell via players such Eric Bristow and Raymond van Barneveld – who each collected three titles.
In 1976 the title was claimed by the legendary Billy Leonard. Billy would have been a superstar if the TV age had come a generation earlier, and he still did pretty well regardless. In this year alone he claimed the News of The World and British Matchplay crowns.
Ten years later it was Bob Anderson who joined the legends roll at this prestigious Open with a defeat of another major name in Mike Gregory.
A mere thirty years ago we saw a legendary continental name added to Sweden’s hall of fame when Roland Scholten stormed to victory over Andy Jenkins.
And finally a Swedish nod to Shaun Greatbatch. 9-Dart claimed the trophy twice in four holdings in the early 2000s.
And for those who like an obscure connection the recently successful Ron Meulenkamp had a breakout year in 2007 and reached the last four in Sweden before being dispatched by the much missed Greatbatch.
Images: PDC (main)
