UK Darts Issue 12 - March 2014 | Page 44

PDC UK Open Qualifiers 4, 5 + 6 Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig The World’s top professional dart players Qualifier 4 converged on Wigan over the weekend of 21st23rd February, with a final chance to qualify Brendan Dolan sealed his spot with a win in Qualifier 4. The Northern Irishman defeated Jamie Lewis 6-1 for the UK Open at stake. When all was said and done it was Brendan Dolan, Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen who claimed the tournament victories, whilst at the other end of the scale a poor showing from Raymond van Barneveld ensured that he would enter the tournament at the first round stage, after scraping in through the UK Open Order of Merit. in the final as he bounced back from a trio of first round exits in the first three qualifying events. Dolan’s run to the final also included victories over Kim Huybrechts, Dirk van Duijvenbode and a 6-0 whitewash of the in form Michael Smith of St Helens. On the opposite side of the draw Jamie Lewis overcame a host of top players, including Justin Pipe, whom he edged out in a deciding leg, and Christian Kist. However, the Welshman’s most impressive performance of the day was reserved for the semifinal, where he defeated World Champion Michael van Gerwen 6-4. Quarter-Finals Kim Huybrechts 6-4 James Wade Brendan Dolan 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode Jamie Lewis 6-1 Christian Kist Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Andy Smith Semi-Finals Brendan Dolan 6-4 Kim Huybrechts Jamie Lewis 6-4 Michael van Gerwen Final Brendan Dolan 6-1 Jamie Lewis