The 2026 ADC Global Championship got underway in Portsmouth, and with the competition now a straight knockout, defending champion Jack Tweddell bit the dust on a busy opening day on the South Coast.
Tweddell was given a tough opening draw, and it proved to be just that as Alex Williams took a comfortable 5-1 first round win, with a 164 finish the highlight for the Welshman.
The evening session was loaded with quality, and another Welshman eased through as David Davies, fresh from his finals night appearance at MODUS Super Series Champions Week, averaged over 90 to ease past WDF World Champion Deta Hedman in a 5-1 success.
Another WDF World Champion was on show at the Live Lounge, and Neil Duff advanced to round two with a 5-3 win over South Africa’s Shaun Vernall. There was no such luck for former World finalist Jeff Smith though, as he disappointed in going down 5-0 to Michael Wiles.
Former WDF number one Brian Raman breezed through, a 110 finish included in his 5-0 win against Arne Spee, and Carl Wilson, who has secured a spot at the PDC World Championship, was a whitewash winner against Marvin van Eenennaam.
Italy had a winner on the first day’s play, with Francesco Basili a 5-4 winner against Karl Coleman, and Croatia’s Romeo Grbavac took a 5-2 win against Scott Winder.
There were four deciding-leg thrillers in the afternoon session, with Mat Caste, Bradley van der Velden, Marcel Otter and Patrik Williams all winners, while WADC Winmau Championship North qualifier Natalie Gilbert fell to a 5-1 defeat to Heine Uuldriks.
Sam Spivey took a 5-2 win against Lorenzo Te Hennepe, and Marc Wilkinson knocked out Ultan Mcdyer in a 5-3 succcess.
Belgium’s Maxim Lemahieu was the first victor of the day, winning 5-2 against Wesley van Trijp.
The action continues on Monday.
ADC Global Championship, Day One Round One
Wesley van Trijp 2-5 Maxim Lemahieu
Heine Uuldriks 5-1 Natalie Gilbert
Mat Caste 5-4 Stephen Russell
Bradley van der Velden 5-4 Michael Powell
Marcel Otter 5-4 Gary Hayes
Marc Wilkinson 5-3 Ultan McDyer
Meinte Hibma 4-5 Patrik Williams
Sam Spivey 5-2 Lorenzo Te Hennepe
Romeo Grbavac 5-2 Scott Winder
Deta Hedman 1-5 David Davies
Karl Coleman 4-5 Francesco Basili
Jack Tweddell 1-5 Alex Williams
Shaun Vernall 3-5 Neil Duff
Michael Wiles 5-0 Jeff Smith
Brian Raman 5-0 Arne Spee
Marvin van Eenennaam 0-5 Carl Wilson
