The WDF Scottish Open and Classic tournaments recently showcased a thrilling display of emerging talent, with young darts prodigies making a significant impact. Fifteen-year-old Scottish sensation Mitchell Lawrie claimed both the Scottish Classic senior title and the Open Youth Singles, demonstrating his immense potential. Meanwhile, James Beeton secured his first WDF Scottish Open men’s singles title after years of persistence, and Rebecca Allen celebrated her maiden senior win in the women’s singles. This event truly underscored a changing of the guard, with youth and fresh faces dominating the winner’s circle.
Youth Takes Center Stage: Mitchell Lawrie’s Double Triumph
The WDF Scottish Open, a silver-ranked event, attracted a strong field, primarily from Great Britain and Ireland. While not carrying the same prize money as platinum or gold events, it offers crucial ranking points and valuable experience. This year, it became a platform for the next generation.
Mitchell Lawrie: A Star in the Making
Scottish favourite Mitchell Lawrie, who only turned 15 in November 2025, delivered a performance beyond his years. He secured his first senior victory of the year and his fourth senior title overall at the Scottish Classic. Lawrie defeated James Beeton 5-1 in a commanding final display. His youth rival, Kaya Baysal, was unexpectedly eliminated in the quarter-finals by Ryan Hogarth, highlighting the depth of talent.
Lawrie continued his impressive run in the Open Youth Singles, adding another title to his collection by beating England’s Ryan Branley 4-2. This double success firmly establishes him as one of darts’ most exciting prospects.
Men’s Singles Thrills: Beeton’s Breakthrough and Slevin’s Strong Showing
James Beeton Claims Maiden Scottish Open Title
The main event, the WDF Scottish Open men’s singles, saw a determined James Beeton finally clinch the title. After reaching the semi-finals in three of the previous four years, Beeton overcame Dylan Slevin 5-3 in a hard-fought final. This marked his first Scottish Open title, a testament to his persistence and high-level play throughout the tournament, including averages over 100 in the early stages.
Despite a strong showing and averaging four points higher in his Last 64 match, Mitchell Lawrie‘s run in the Open event was cut short, losing 4-3 to Patrick Quinn in a tight encounter. Other notable players in the men’s events included WDF number one Jenson Walker, Paul Hogan, and former WDF world champion Neil Duff.
Women’s Dominance: New Faces Emerge Victorious
Rebecca Allen and Sophie McKinlay Shine
The women’s events also provided plenty of drama and celebrated new champions:
- In the Scottish Classic women’s singles, Scotland’s Sophie McKinlay edged out England’s Macy Gibbons 5-4 in a nail-biting final, with Gibbons missing crucial match darts. McKinlay’s path to the final included a victory over recent PDC World Championship qualifier Gemma Hayter.
- Ireland’s Rebecca Allen secured her first senior title in the WDF Scottish Open women’s singles, defeating Scotland’s Lorraine Hyde 5-2 in the final. Allen’s dominant performance also saw her end Sophie McKinlay’s impressive run in the semi-finals.
- The Girls’ Singles saw a rematch of the Classic final, with Macy Gibbons exacting her revenge, beating Rebecca Allen 4-1 to claim the title.
Doubles Action: Teamwork Triumphs
The doubles events, featuring an impressive number of entries, showcased excellent teamwork:
- In the Men’s Doubles, the pairing of Ryan Hogarth and Sean Fisher delivered a dominant performance, sweeping aside Jenson Walker and Nick Fulwell 3-0 in the final. Mitchell Lawrie’s attempt to add another title was halted in the Last 16.
- The Women’s Doubles title went to Ireland’s Rebecca Allen, who teamed up with Lynsey Ward. They secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Michelle Binns and Marie Fitton in the final, adding to Allen’s successful weekend.
A Weekend for the Record Books: Youth Leads the Way
Overall, the WDF Scottish Open and Classic tournaments undeniably belonged to the younger generation and emerging talents. The success of players like Mitchell Lawrie, Rebecca Allen, and James Beeton signals an exciting future for darts, proving that dedication and skill can lead to victory at any age. These events were a vibrant testament to the sport’s growing popularity and the continuous influx of promising new stars.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
