Minehead Mayhem: Noppert’s Nine-Dart Perfection and a Shock Exit at UK Open 2026
The UK Open 2026’s fourth round delivered high-stakes darts action, marked by incredible highs and unexpected departures. World Champion Luke Humphries showcased dominant form, while Danny Noppert achieved a rare nine-darter, electrifying the crowd. However, the biggest upset saw Dutch number one Gian van Veen crash out early after a tough draw against former world champion Rob Cross, setting the stage for an unpredictable tournament.
Elite Contenders Enter the Fray
The UK Open, known for its unique open draw format, saw the sport’s biggest names join the competition in the fourth round. This stage often pits top players against each other earlier than expected, leading to thrilling encounters and early exits for some genuine title hopefuls.
Major Upset: Van Veen Falls to ‘Voltage’ Cross
One of the most significant stories of the round was the elimination of Dutch number one Gian van Veen. Despite his rising status and being a member of the elite Premier League cohort, van Veen faced a formidable challenge in multiple major champion Rob Cross. Cross, a former world champion, proved why he remains a dangerous opponent, delivering a performance of exceptional quality. Both players averaged well over 100, but it was Cross who ultimately prevailed, ending van Veen’s Minehead ambitions prematurely.
Van Gerwen Overcomes Aspinall in Tight Battle
Another clash of titans saw two former UK Open champions, Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall, go head-to-head. Van Gerwen, known as ‘The Green Machine’, initially stumbled, falling 3-1 behind. However, he steadily regained control, eventually navigating a tense finale to secure his victory. Aspinall, ‘The Asp’, displayed his characteristic fighting spirit throughout the match.
Humphries’ Masterclass and Noppert’s Perfect Nine
The most spectacular individual performances came from the reigning World Champion and a Dutch maestro:
- Luke Humphries Dominates: ‘Cool Hand’ Luke Humphries delivered arguably the most scintillating display of the evening. The world champion dismantled Luke Woodhouse with a breathtaking exhibition of scoring and finishing, boasting a colossal 105.16 average. His precision on the outer ring was surgical, including several impressive checkouts, highlighted by a sumptuous 144 finish.
- Danny Noppert’s Nine-Darter: On one of the secondary stages, the lucky spectators witnessed a moment of darting perfection. Danny Noppert conjured a sublime nine-darter to seal his victory over a struggling Dimitri van den Bergh. This immaculate feat of tungsten artistry left the Minehead crowd gasping in admiration, a rare and thrilling achievement in the sport.
Other Key Results and Advancements:
The fourth round saw a mix of comfortable wins and hard-fought battles:
- James Wade, a three-time UK Open champion, narrowly edged out Chris Dobey in a fiercely balanced contest, continuing his pursuit of a fourth title.
- Welsh World Cup winning duo Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton both secured comfortable passages, dispatching Greg Ritchie and Alexander Merkx respectively.
- An all-Irish duel saw Josh Rock narrowly defeat Willie O’Connor in a deciding leg thriller.
- Former UK Open champion Peter Wright ensured his journey continued by overcoming fellow Scot Cameron Menzies.
- However, it was a less fortunate outing for Dutch legend Raymond van Barneveld, who was emphatically beaten by the immensely talented Wessel Nijman, a rising star in the darting world.
- Other notable names to advance included Stephen Bunting, Gary Anderson (delighting the local crowd near Minehead), Michael Smith, Daryl Gurney, Mike De Decker, and Ross Smith.
Intrigue and Quality Define Round 4
In summary, the fourth round of the UK Open 2026 was packed with intrigue, high-quality darts, and moments of individual brilliance, especially Noppert’s nine-darter. While there were no truly seismic shockwaves that reshaped the entire darting landscape, Gian van Veen’s early exit against a formidable opponent like Rob Cross served as a stark reminder of the tournament’s unpredictable nature and the depth of talent in the PDC.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
