Andrew ‘Goldfinger’ Gilding delivered an unforgettable performance at Players Championship 13, achieving a staggering 118.66 average – his highest ever in a single PDC (Professional Darts Corporation) match. This incredible display saw him completely dominate and ‘whitewash’ darts legend Joe Cullen, winning 6-0 in a series of breathtaking legs that left spectators in awe. It was a truly golden moment for Gilding, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Andrew Gilding’s Road to Record-Breaking Glory
The day began routinely for Gilding at Players Championship 13. In the first round, he faced fellow Englishman Adam Paxton, securing a solid 6-3 victory with an average of 90.56. His second-round match against Germany’s Leon Weber followed a similar pattern, where Gilding emerged triumphant with a 6-4 win, improving his average to 93.78. These initial games served as a strong warm-up for the extraordinary challenge that lay ahead.
The Unstoppable Force: Gilding vs. Cullen
It was in his third game of the day that Andrew Gilding truly unleashed his potential against one of the sport’s biggest names: Joe Cullen, known as ‘The Rockstar’. Cullen is a former World Masters Champion and a highly respected, established professional player. Yet, Gilding’s performance was so exceptional that even the best players would have struggled to keep pace.
From the very first throw, Gilding demonstrated unparalleled precision and control. Here’s a leg-by-leg breakdown of his historic whitewash:
- Leg 1: Gilding kicked off in spectacular fashion with a casual 13-dart finish, averaging over 115 in the opening leg while Cullen was still far behind. A ’13-darter’ means he completed the leg in just 13 throws, which is a sign of high-level play.
- Leg 2: He followed this with an even better performance, securing a crucial 11-dart ‘break of throw’ to double his lead. A break of throw occurs when a player wins a leg that their opponent started, indicating superior scoring and finishing.
- Leg 3: Even what could be considered Gilding’s ‘worst’ darts of the match were still formidable. He took this leg in 16 darts with a 93.94 average on his own throw, denying Cullen any opportunity to get on the scoreboard and extending his lead to 3-0.
- Leg 4: The relentless pressure continued. With Cullen waiting on a finish after 12 darts, Gilding swooped in to take the leg in another rapid 11 darts – his second 11-darter in just four legs.
- Leg 5: ‘Goldfinger’ continued his flawless run, taking this leg in just 13 darts, pushing him to the brink of victory.
- Leg 6: Gilding sealed his dominant performance with a decisive 12-dart leg, completing a stunning 6-0 whitewash against Joe Cullen.
A New Personal Best: 118.66 Average
Andrew Gilding advanced to the top 16 with an astonishing 118.66 average for that single match against Joe Cullen. This isn’t just a great score; it marks the highest single-game average of his PDC career to date and his best performance since Players Championship 18 back in 2022. Achieving such a high average in darts is incredibly rare and speaks volumes about the focus, skill, and consistency Gilding displayed, cementing this match as a truly memorable moment in professional darts history.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
