Nicholas Zorbas |
December 16, 2025
Simon Whitlock has lost a five-set thriller in round one of the darts world champs in London.
Simon Whitlock has suffered a disappointing early exit from the PDC darts world championship at Alexandra Palace.
The ‘Wizard’, who failed to qualify last year after 15 straight appearances, was beaten 3-2 by England’s Connor Scutt in their first-round match.
New South Welshman Whitlock only just snuck into the event by winning the ANZ Premier League in Brisbane last month.
And he started slowly in London, dropping the opening two sets 3-1 and 3-2.
But the 2010 finalist, returning for a 22nd crack at winning the world title, stormed back into the contest taking the next two sets 3-2.
Simon Whitlock salutes his fans after getting back in the contest. (AP PHOTO)
The 56-year-old won the opening leg in the decider but the ‘Sniper’ responded to win the set 3-1 and set up a clash against the ‘Flying Scotsman’ Gary Anderson, a two-time world champion and 14th seed.
Whitlock missed the opportunity to join compatriot, and 2022 World Cup-winning teammate, Damon Heta in round two.
Perth’s world No.16 enjoyed a 3-1 first-round win over Irishman Steve Lennon on the weekend.
Two more West Australians are in action in coming days, with Joe Comito facing German Niko Springer on Wednesday (AEDT) and Tim Pusey taking on Ireland’s Keane Barry on Saturday.
Peter Wright was his usually colourful self at ‘Ally Pally’. (AP PHOTO)
Earlier on Monday night, another Scottish two-time world champion Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright scored a 3-0 win over the Netherlands’ Noa-Lynn van Leuven.
Cameron Menzies, meanwhile, has apologised for briefly turning into a boxer after losing his cool after a tough loss.
The Scot repeatedly punched a table on stage, leaving his right hand bloodied.
The 26th seed was expected to win his first match, but was beaten 3-2 by 166th-ranked Englishman Charlie Manby.
Menzies later said the death of his uncle and the upcoming funeral had been on his mind.
Cameron Menzies took his anger out on the drinks table after losing a tight game at the PDC World Championship.
After losing 3-2 to debutant Charlie Manby, he reacted by punching the table on stage three times. pic.twitter.com/604RGNDPNQ
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 15, 2025
“I would like to apologise for what happened. I’m sorry that I reacted in the manner that I did,” he said in a statement.
“It’s not an excuse, but I have had a lot of things on my mind and I suppose it all just became too much at the end.
“Had I won the game, my second match would have been on the day of Gary’s funeral and that hasn’t been lost on me.
“I don’t want it to take anything away from Charlie. He played well. This is not how I would like people to view me.”
With AP.
AAP
