The 2024 Welsh Open Darts tournament at Sand Bay concluded with an unforgettable Sunday, crowning three new champions in the WDF Silver-ranked events. Ryan Hogarth finally secured his first major ranking title after years of near-misses, while darts legend Deta Hedman added an incredible seventh Welsh Open title to her collection. Completing the trio of victors, Mitchell Lawrie successfully defended his Youth title in a nail-biting finish, showcasing the best of both seasoned professionals and rising stars in the sport.
Hogarth’s Breakthrough: A Seven-Year Wait Ends
The Welsh Open Darts tournament, a prestigious WDF Silver-ranked event, brought five days of intense competition at the Sand Bay Holiday Village to a dramatic close on Sunday night. Spectators witnessed incredible skill and determination as three deserving champions emerged: Ryan Hogarth in the Open category, Deta Hedman in the Women’s event, and Mitchell Lawrie in the Youth classification.
For Ryan Hogarth, known as ‘The Headhunter’, the victory marked the end of a long and challenging journey. After seven years of reaching finals and experiencing heartbreak, Hogarth finally claimed his first ever WDF ranking title. He triumphed over a formidable opponent, Ross Montgomery, in a high-quality Welsh Open final.
Hogarth delivered an exceptional performance, averaging an impressive 95.1 points per three darts to secure his win. Montgomery, who had already tasted victory earlier in the week by winning the Welsh Masters Open, put up a strong fight, but it was Hogarth’s day. This long-awaited success not only earned Hogarth the coveted title but also a significant £1,500 top prize, validating years of dedication and near-misses for those who have followed his career.
Deta Hedman’s Historic Seventh Welsh Open Title
Darts icon Deta Hedman etched her name further into the history books by securing an astonishing seventh Welsh Open title. In a highly anticipated clash, Hedman defeated reigning Women’s World Champion Fallon Sherrock with a 5-3 victory.
The decisive moment came with a brilliant 13-darter, a term in darts referring to finishing a leg in just 13 throws, showcasing immense precision and skill. This win was particularly sweet for Hedman, as it offered a form of revenge for their previous encounter at the Winter Gardens stage last month. Her first Welsh Open title was won an incredible 33 years ago, and her last before this weekend was eight years ago, proving her enduring dominance and passion for the sport.
Lawrie’s Dominant Defense: Youth Talent Shines Bright
WDF World No.1 Mitchell Lawrie successfully defended the Youth title he won last year in Weston-Super-Mare, reaffirming his status as a leading young talent. He faced a spirited challenge from Kaya Baysal, who was aiming for his second title of the week after an impressive run.
The final was a thrilling encounter, with Baysal showcasing incredible form, at one point leading 2-0 in a race to three legs and maintaining an outstanding 101.39 average. However, Lawrie, with characteristic composure, fought back to win the match in a dramatic last-leg decider. This means the match went down to the very last possible leg to determine the winner. The two young stars illuminated the stage, collectively hitting seven maximum 180s across as many legs, highlighting the exceptional standard of youth darts at Sand Bay and promising a bright future for the sport.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
