Rising Devon Darts Star Books His Place at the World Championship

Devonians will have a keen eye on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship next month after one of the county’s top players booked his place at the prestigious tournament.

Owen Bates finished second on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit to secure his spot at Alexendra Palace in London for the first time in his career.

The 20-year-old finished second behind Berry van Peer in the standings, just £175 ahead of former World Cup winner John Henderson in prize money.

Bates’ efforts have also secured him a coveted PDC Tour Card for the next two years, giving him the chance to make a name for himself in the professional ranks.

He had to work extremely hard to get over the line, staging several thrilling comebacks at a recent tournament in Wigan to edge past Henderson.

Bates started the event with a narrow victory over Kurt Parry, before rattling off three consecutive legs to defeat Ian Jones 5-2 in the second round.

The Devon darter then beat Ron Meulenkamp and Darren Armstrong to set up a quarter-final showdown against Peter Jacques where he triumphed in a deciding-leg shoot-out.

Bates showed plenty of character in his semi-final match against Mike Warburton, surviving multiple match darts to recover from 4-1 down and seal his place in the World Championship.

He was defeated 5-2 by James Hurrell in the final, but the result was insignificant as the runners-up prize money was just enough to send him through to Ally Pally.

Bates will hope for a favourable draw for his World Championship debut in a tournament which always garners massive interest globally.

Although he is unlikely to trouble the world’s top players at this stage of his career, the opportunity to play on the biggest stage will provide him with invaluable experience.

Bates will enter the tournament in the first round alongside 31 other international qualifiers and the top 32 players from the Pro Tour Order of Merit.

His potential toughest first round opponents include Australia’s Simon Whitlock, who is rated as 150/1 shot by online bookmakers to win the title for the first time.

Rising Irish star Keane Barry is another player Bates will hope to avoid in the opening round, with the 21-year-old on track to break into the top 32 in the world rankings.

The sports betting sites in Ireland will be keeping a close eye on Barry’s performances after he cost them several sizeable payouts at the 2022 UK Open.

Barry defeated several talented players on his way to the semi-finals, including defending champion James Wade, to leave the oddsmakers licking their wounds.

He was defeated 11-6 by Michael Smith in the last four, but is a player Bates and the rest of the qualifiers will be eager to sidestep at Ally Pally.

Smith went on to be crowned world champion in 2023 and is among the bookies’ favourite to retain the title. However, no player has gone back-to-back in the tournament since Gary Anderson achieved the feat in 2015 and 2016.

Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price are vying for favouritism, while reigning World Grand Prix champion Luke Humphries will fancy his chances of winning the second major title of his career.