Mark Walsh (Dart player)
Encyclopedia
Mark Walsh is an English
darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation
(PDC) tournaments.
He reached his first major televised final in 2005, when he was beaten by England's Phil Taylor in the UK Open in Bolton
.
but suffered a 10-0 whitewash at the hands of John Part
.
His World Championship debut came in 2004, but he lost 0-3 to Erik Clarys
in his first match. He went out to Wayne Mardle
2-4 in 2005. He won his first match at the World Championship at his third attempt in 2006. He was seeded 12th for the event, and beat Warren Parry
before losing 0-4 to Dennis Smith
in the next round.
for the 2007 World Championship, when he was surprisingly beaten by 19 year-old Dutch player Rico Vonck
, thus continuing his poor run at the tournament. He started the year ranked 15th in the world, but had fallen to 32 by November, which put him in danger of failing to qualify for the 2008 World Championship. However, he reached the semi-final of the Ireland Open Classic in September, and won the non-ranked Gleneagle Irish Masters in early November, thus hinting at an upturn in form. He also reached the semi-finals of the PDC German Darts Championship.
, Walsh defeated Adrian Gray
in the first round, setting up a second-round match with Taylor. Walsh led Taylor 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 before Taylor won six consecutive legs to beat him 4-3. Despite losing, Walsh stated that from suffering dartitis
to pushing the greatest player in the world to the final set at the World Championship was a great victory in its own right.
Walsh continued his good form, reaching three quarter finals including the Open Holland Masters and then reached the last 32 stage of the US Open and the UK Open. He followed up with a semi final showing in the PDPA Players Championship Las Vegas and then qualified for the 2008 Las Vegas Desert Classic
the next day. He beat Bill Davis
in the first round before losing to James Wade
. He then reached the second round of the 2008 World Matchplay
, defeating Colin Lloyd
in the opening match of the tournament but lost to Kevin McDine
. He reached the second round of the World Grand Prix
, beating Steve Beaton
in the first round before losing to Terry Jenkins
. Walsh missed out on qualifying for the 2008 Grand Slam of Darts
but bounced back to reach the semi finals of the inaugural Championship League Darts
, winning group eight and then placing second in the winners group, eventually losing to Mervyn King. He then reached the quarter finals of the 2008 European Darts Championship
and reached the final of the PDPA Players Championship Holland 2, losing to Wade.
3-2 in the first round of the 2009 PDC World Championship
, narrowly missing out on a nine dart finish on the way. In the second round he lost 4-2 to King. On 17 January, Walsh hit a nine dart finish
in the Eddie Cox Memorial Players Championship in Gibraltar
against Caven to win the deciding leg of their first round match. Having rolled over for four Players Championships, Walsh won £1,600 for the nine-darter.
Walsh won his first PDC title in two years, when he won the Coventry Players Championship on 28 March 2009 beating Taylor 6-4 in the final. He added another title with his second career UK Open Regional in Derby
, by winning the East Midlands
region 6-5 over Raymond van Barneveld
.
Mark Webster
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation
Professional Darts Corporation
The Professional Darts Corporation is a professional darts organization, established in the United Kingdom during 1992, when a group of leading professional players split from the British Darts Organisation to form what was initially called the World Darts Council...
(PDC) tournaments.
He reached his first major televised final in 2005, when he was beaten by England's Phil Taylor in the UK Open in Bolton
Bolton
Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
.
Early career
Walsh made his televised debut at the 2002 World Matchplay2002 World Matchplay Darts
The 2002 World Matchplay was a darts tournament held in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. Sponsored by UK bookmaker Stan James, the tournament ran from 28 July through 3 August 2002, and was won by Phil Taylor.-1st Round:...
but suffered a 10-0 whitewash at the hands of John Part
John Part
John Part is a Canadian professional darts player, who is nicknamed Darth Maple.Part is one of only five players in darts history to be a three time World Champion...
.
His World Championship debut came in 2004, but he lost 0-3 to Erik Clarys
Erik Clarys
Erik Clarys is a Belgian former darts player. He competed for the British Darts Organisation and the Professional Darts Corporation. He is nicknamed "The Sheriff". Clarys was known for his unorthodox way of scoring and finishing which made him popular with fans.-BDO career:Clarys caused a major...
in his first match. He went out to Wayne Mardle
Wayne Mardle
Wayne Mardle is a darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation, and former player in the BDO. He now lives in Romford...
2-4 in 2005. He won his first match at the World Championship at his third attempt in 2006. He was seeded 12th for the event, and beat Warren Parry
Warren Parry
Warren Parry is a New Zealand darts player. He is not a full-time professional and works as a slaughterman.Parry reached the final of the 1999 WDF World Cup Men's Singles event, beating Marko Kantele in the last 16, Andy Fordham in the quarter finals and fellow New Zealander Herbie Nathan in the...
before losing 0-4 to Dennis Smith
Dennis Smith (darts player)
Dennis Smith is an English darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation events. He is a stalwart on the PDC circuit, having been playing on the circuit since 1994 but has yet to capture a major title to add to his collection of Open wins...
in the next round.
2007
He had slipped to 16th in the world rankingsDarts world rankings
Darts world rankings are a system which should determine a list of the best dart players in the world based on their performances in tournaments...
for the 2007 World Championship, when he was surprisingly beaten by 19 year-old Dutch player Rico Vonck
Rico Vonck
Rico Vonck is a darts player, currently residing in Posterholt. He qualified for the 2007 PDC World Darts Championship having finished second in the DDF rankings...
, thus continuing his poor run at the tournament. He started the year ranked 15th in the world, but had fallen to 32 by November, which put him in danger of failing to qualify for the 2008 World Championship. However, he reached the semi-final of the Ireland Open Classic in September, and won the non-ranked Gleneagle Irish Masters in early November, thus hinting at an upturn in form. He also reached the semi-finals of the PDC German Darts Championship.
2008
In the 2008 PDC World Darts Championship2008 PDC World Darts Championship
The 2008 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship, sponsored by Ladbrokes, was the 15th World Championship organised by the Professional Darts Corporation since it separated from the British Darts Organisation...
, Walsh defeated Adrian Gray
Adrian Gray
Adrian Gray is an English darts player. Previously using the nickname '3 Styler', he is now known as 'The Conqueror'. Adrian made his televised debut at the 2003 UK Open...
in the first round, setting up a second-round match with Taylor. Walsh led Taylor 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 before Taylor won six consecutive legs to beat him 4-3. Despite losing, Walsh stated that from suffering dartitis
Dartitis
Dartitis is a condition which can affect dart players, and severely damage their performance and results. It can be compared to the 'yips', an expression used to describe apparent loss of fine motor skills without any explanation...
to pushing the greatest player in the world to the final set at the World Championship was a great victory in its own right.
Walsh continued his good form, reaching three quarter finals including the Open Holland Masters and then reached the last 32 stage of the US Open and the UK Open. He followed up with a semi final showing in the PDPA Players Championship Las Vegas and then qualified for the 2008 Las Vegas Desert Classic
2008 Las Vegas Desert Classic
The 2008 Las Vegas Desert Classic was the seventh installment of the Las Vegas Desert Classic, a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation. It was held in the evenings between June 30 and July 6....
the next day. He beat Bill Davis
Bill Davis (darts player)
Bill Davis is an American darts player who plays for the Professional Darts Corporation.Davis made his televised debut in the States, taking part in the World Series of Darts in 2006, losing in the first round to Denis Ovens in a tight game...
in the first round before losing to James Wade
James Wade
James Wade is an English professional darts player, currently playing in the Professional Darts Corporation . He became the youngest player ever to win a major PDC title at the World Matchplay in July 2007...
. He then reached the second round of the 2008 World Matchplay
2008 World Matchplay Darts
The 2008 Stan James World Matchplay was the 15th annual staging of the tournament by the Professional Darts Corporation. The tournament took place from Sunday July 20 to Saturday July 26. It was staged at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool...
, defeating Colin Lloyd
Colin Lloyd
Colin Lloyd , nicknamed Jaws, is an English professional darts player on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit. He is a former world number one ranked player and he has won two major television titles in the PDC - the 2004 World Grand Prix and 2005 World Matchplay...
in the opening match of the tournament but lost to Kevin McDine
Kevin McDine
Kevin McDine is an English darts player, currently residing in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire. He competes in Professional Darts Corporation events and SupaMc is currently ranked 37th on the PDC Order of Merit....
. He reached the second round of the World Grand Prix
2008 World Grand Prix Darts
The 2008 Sky Poker World Grand Prix was the eleventh instance of the darts tournament held by the Professional Darts Corporation, the World Grand Prix. It was held from October 6 to October 12. As usual it was staged at the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, Dublin...
, beating Steve Beaton
Steve Beaton
Steve Beaton is an English professional darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation...
in the first round before losing to Terry Jenkins
Terry Jenkins
Terry Jenkins is an English professional darts player who is nicknamed The Bull, having previously used the nickname "Tucker" for his matches...
. Walsh missed out on qualifying for the 2008 Grand Slam of Darts
2008 Grand Slam of Darts
The 2008 Grand Slam of Darts was the second staging of the darts tournament, the Grand Slam of Darts organised by the Professional Darts Corporation. The event took place from 15–23 November 2008 at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall...
but bounced back to reach the semi finals of the inaugural Championship League Darts
Championship League Darts
Championship League Darts is a PDC darts tournament that uses a league and legs format similar to the Premier League but offers the top players outside of the top 8 in the PDC Order of Merit a chance to compete for the championship...
, winning group eight and then placing second in the winners group, eventually losing to Mervyn King. He then reached the quarter finals of the 2008 European Darts Championship
2008 European Championship Darts
The 2008 European Championship was the inaugural edition of the PDC tournament, the European Championship, which allowed the top European players to compete against the highest ranked players from the PDC Order of Merit...
and reached the final of the PDPA Players Championship Holland 2, losing to Wade.
2009
Walsh defeated Jamie CavenJamie Caven
Jamie Robert Caven is an English darts player. He uses the nickname Jabba for his matches and is sponsored by Unicorn....
3-2 in the first round of the 2009 PDC World Championship
2009 PDC World Darts Championship
The 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship was the 16th World Championship organised by the Professional Darts Corporation since it separated from the British Darts Organisation....
, narrowly missing out on a nine dart finish on the way. In the second round he lost 4-2 to King. On 17 January, Walsh hit a nine dart finish
Nine dart finish
A nine-dart finish is the ultimate checkout in the game of darts, constituting a perfect game. It is notoriously difficult to achieve, even by the game's top professionals...
in the Eddie Cox Memorial Players Championship in Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
against Caven to win the deciding leg of their first round match. Having rolled over for four Players Championships, Walsh won £1,600 for the nine-darter.
Walsh won his first PDC title in two years, when he won the Coventry Players Championship on 28 March 2009 beating Taylor 6-4 in the final. He added another title with his second career UK Open Regional in Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
, by winning the East Midlands
East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of the regions of England, consisting of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. It encompasses the combined area of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and most of Lincolnshire...
region 6-5 over Raymond van Barneveld
Raymond van Barneveld
Raymond van Barneveld , nickname Barney is a professional darts player. He is a five time World Darts Champion, and two time UK Open Champion. From January to June 2008, he was the PDC world number one ranked player...
.
2010
Walsh was 12th seed for the 2010 PDC World Championship, however he only made the first round after losing 3-2 to former BDO World ChampionBDO World Darts Championship
The BDO World Darts Championship is a world championship competition in darts, organised by the British Darts Organisation . It began in 1978, and was the only world championship tournament until 1994...
Mark Webster
Mark Webster (darts player)
Mark Webster is a left-handed Welsh darts player who lives in Denbigh. Known as Webby, he plays in Professional Darts Corporation events, having previously won the 2008 BDO World Championship. Mark became a full time professional in 2009, having previously been a fully qualified Gas registered...
.
2011
Walsh qualified for the 2011 Grand Slam of Darts as the highest ranked player from the PDC Order of Merit not already invited. He progressed through Group A with victories over Tony O'Shea and Michael van Gerwen but finished second after losing to Scott Waites. He then defeated Group B winner Dean Winstanley 10-9 and former World Champion Ted Hankey 16-14 before losing out 11-16 to Gary Anderson.Successes
He has won six non-televised PDC titles: the Welsh Regional final of the UK Open in September 2005, the Gleneagle Irish Masters in November 2007, the Coventry Players Championship and the UK Open East Midlands Regional plus two more Players Championships in Barnsley beating Jamie Caven and in Germany beating Andy Hamilton 6-5.World Championship Performances
- 2004 (PDC) - Round 2 lost to Erik ClarysErik ClarysErik Clarys is a Belgian former darts player. He competed for the British Darts Organisation and the Professional Darts Corporation. He is nicknamed "The Sheriff". Clarys was known for his unorthodox way of scoring and finishing which made him popular with fans.-BDO career:Clarys caused a major...
0-3 - 2005 (PDC) - Round 3 lost to Wayne MardleWayne MardleWayne Mardle is a darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation, and former player in the BDO. He now lives in Romford...
2-4 - 2006 (PDC) - Round 1 lost to Warren ParryWarren ParryWarren Parry is a New Zealand darts player. He is not a full-time professional and works as a slaughterman.Parry reached the final of the 1999 WDF World Cup Men's Singles event, beating Marko Kantele in the last 16, Andy Fordham in the quarter finals and fellow New Zealander Herbie Nathan in the...
0-3 - 2007 (PDC) - Round 1 lost to Rico VonckRico VonckRico Vonck is a darts player, currently residing in Posterholt. He qualified for the 2007 PDC World Darts Championship having finished second in the DDF rankings...
0-3 - 2008 (PDC) - Round 2 lost to Phil Taylor 3-4
- 2009 (PDC) - Round 2 lost to Mervyn King 2-4
- 2010 (PDC) - Round 1 lost to Mark WebsterMark Webster (darts player)Mark Webster is a left-handed Welsh darts player who lives in Denbigh. Known as Webby, he plays in Professional Darts Corporation events, having previously won the 2008 BDO World Championship. Mark became a full time professional in 2009, having previously been a fully qualified Gas registered...
2-3 - 2011 (PDC) - Round 3 lost to Terry JenkinsTerry JenkinsTerry Jenkins is an English professional darts player who is nicknamed The Bull, having previously used the nickname "Tucker" for his matches...
0-4