PDC UK Open Darts
Encyclopedia
The Speedy Hire UK Open is an innovative PDC
darts tournament where, following numerous regional qualifying heats throughout Britain, 128 players compete in a single elimination tournament to be crowned champion.
It has earned the nickname, the "FA Cup
of darts" because the minnows can come up against the big boys. There are also no seedings for the top players which means the top players can be drawn against each other at any stage. Just like the FA Cup, a random draw takes place after each round to determine the matches for the next round. However, a slight change will be introduced from 2007 where a tournament bracket is introduced from the quarter-final stage to prevent players being forced into playing long back-to-back matches.
Since 2003, the UK Open has been broadcast in June each year from the Reebok Stadium
, in Bolton. Phil Taylor beat Shayne Burgess
in the inaugural final. Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld
won the tournament in 2006, the first ever ranking tournament with the PDC in which he has played. He knocked out 13-times World Champion Phil Taylor 11-10 en route to the final where he beat Barrie Bates
13-7. He also successfully defended the title in 2007, again beating Taylor en-route.
Taylor has achieved the perfect nine-dart finish
four times in the UK Open in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008. In the 2010 event Mervyn King also hit a nine-dart finish.
Blue Square took over as title sponsor in 2007 until 2009. The 2010 event was sponsored by Rileys Darts Zones.The 2011 event will be sponsored by Speedy Hire.
In addition there are eight UK Open Regional Finals for the "professional" players. All events are open to all darts players on payment of an entry fee - which means that players from both the PDC
and BDO
are eligible to enter. Players who enter through the Rileys Qualifying Round are not eligible to play in the regional qualifying events and vice-versa.
The results of the eight qualifiers are then collated into an Order of Merit table (Winner £4000; Runner-up £2000; 3-4 £1000; 5-8 £500; 9-16 £250; 17-32 £100; 33-64 £50). The top 96 players in this Order of Merit join the qualifiers at the televised stages in Bolton.
The format is as follows:
since the first tournament.
14 Phil Taylor
5 Raymond van Barneveld
5 James Wade
5 Colin Lloyd
4 Peter Manley
4 Mark Walsh
2 Mark Dudbridge
2 Kevin Painter
2 Andy Smith
2 Alex Roy
1 Andy Jenkins
1 John Part
1 Ronnie Baxter
1 Alan Caves
1 Steve Maish
1 Mark Robinson
1 Wayne Mardle
1 Steve Hine
1 Denis Ovens
1 Jimmy Mann
1 Adrian Lewis
1 Chris Mason
1 Dennis Priestley
1 Andy Hamilton
1 Colin Osborne
1 Gary Anderson
1 Jamie Caven
1 Robert Thornton
1 Mervyn King
1 Alan Tabern
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...
darts tournament where, following numerous regional qualifying heats throughout Britain, 128 players compete in a single elimination tournament to be crowned champion.
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
of darts" because the minnows can come up against the big boys. There are also no seedings for the top players which means the top players can be drawn against each other at any stage. Just like the FA Cup, a random draw takes place after each round to determine the matches for the next round. However, a slight change will be introduced from 2007 where a tournament bracket is introduced from the quarter-final stage to prevent players being forced into playing long back-to-back matches.
Since 2003, the UK Open has been broadcast in June each year from the Reebok Stadium
Reebok Stadium
The Reebok Stadium is the home stadium of English Premier League football club Bolton Wanderers, and is located on the Middlebrook Retail Park in Horwich, in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. It is commonly known as 'The Reebok'...
, in Bolton. Phil Taylor beat Shayne Burgess
Shayne Burgess
Shayne Burgess is an English darts player who is one of the few examples of players that has switched from the British Darts Organisation to the Professional Darts Corporation and back - he announced his intention to return to the BDO in early 2007, but remains a competitor in the PDC...
in the inaugural final. Dutchman 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...
won the tournament in 2006, the first ever ranking tournament with the PDC in which he has played. He knocked out 13-times World Champion Phil Taylor 11-10 en route to the final where he beat Barrie Bates
Barrie Bates
Barrie Bates is a darts player currently residing in Bedlinog, Mid-Glamorgan. He plays in the Professional Darts Corporation and is a regular on the circuit. His nickname is "Batesy"....
13-7. He also successfully defended the title in 2007, again beating Taylor en-route.
Taylor has achieved the perfect 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...
four times in the UK Open in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008. In the 2010 event Mervyn King also hit a nine-dart finish.
Sponsors
The inaugural event in 2003 was sponsored by Sky Bet. In 2004 Budweiser became the main sponsor. After Budweiser's three-year sponsorship ended in 2006, bookmakersBookmaker
A bookmaker, or bookie, is an organization or a person that takes bets on sporting and other events at agreed upon odds.- Range of events :...
Blue Square took over as title sponsor in 2007 until 2009. The 2010 event was sponsored by Rileys Darts Zones.The 2011 event will be sponsored by Speedy Hire.
| Sponsor | Years |
|---|---|
| Sky Bet | 2003 |
| Budweiser Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch) Budweiser is a 5.0% abv American-style lager introduced in 1876 by Adolphus Busch and one of the highest selling beers in the United States. It is made with up to 30% rice in addition to hops and barley malt. Budweiser is produced in various breweries located around the world... |
2004 - 2006 |
| Blue Square | 2007 - 2009 |
| Rileys Darts Zones | 2010 |
| Speedy Hire | 2011 - present |
Final Results
| Year | Champion | Score (legs) | Runner-Up | Total Prize Money http://www.bullseyenews.com/pdc2302-01.html |
Champion | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 2003 UK Open Darts The 2003 UK Open was the first edition of the UK Open darts tournament organised by the PDC. The tournament was won by Phil Taylor who defeated Shayne Burgess in the final with 18-8.-Preliminary Round: best of 9 legs... |
 Phil Taylor (98.03) |
18-8 | Shayne Burgess Shayne Burgess Shayne Burgess is an English darts player who is one of the few examples of players that has switched from the British Darts Organisation to the Professional Darts Corporation and back - he announced his intention to return to the BDO in early 2007, but remains a competitor in the PDC... |
£124,000 | £30,000 | £15,000 |
| 2004 2004 UK Open Darts The 2004 Budweiser UK Open was the second time the Professional Darts Corporation held the tournament which had quickly earned the nickname the "FA Cup of Darts". It was held at Bolton Wanderer's Reebok Stadium between 4 and 6 June 2004. Budweiser became the tournament's first title sponsor... |
 Roland ScholtenRoland Scholten Roland Scholten is a Dutch professional darts player who plays for the Professional Darts Corporation and formerly for the British Darts Organisation. He is nicknamed Tripod or The Flying Dutchman and uses Hey Ya by Outkast as his walk-on. He is currently ranked 45th in the PDC... (89.49) |
11-6 |  John PartJohn 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... (85.98) |
£124,000 | £30,000 | £15,000 |
| 2005 2005 UK Open Darts The 2005 Budweiser UK Open was the third year of the darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation. A massive field of 170 players were whittled down to just one in 48 hours of hectic competition at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton. Phil Taylor eventually took the trophy with a 13-7... |
Phil Taylor (96.80) |
13-7 | Mark Walsh (84.52) |
£124,000 | £30,000 | £15,000 |
| 2006 2006 UK Open Darts -Format:Qualifying events are held at Greene King pubs across the UK - winners from each pub event progress to one of four Regional Finals, to be staged in their relevant area. Players who reach the final eight in the Regional Finals will qualify for the televised stages of the UK Open in Bolton.In... |
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... (91.51) |
13-7 |  Barrie BatesBarrie Bates Barrie Bates is a darts player currently residing in Bedlinog, Mid-Glamorgan. He plays in the Professional Darts Corporation and is a regular on the circuit. His nickname is "Batesy".... (82.98) |
£124,000 | £30,000 | £15,000 |
| 2007 2007 UK Open Darts The 2007 Blue Square UK Open was the fifth year of the PDC darts tournament where, following numerous regional qualifying heats throughout Britain, players competed in a single elimination tournament to be crowned champion... |
Raymond van Barneveld (94.99) |
16-8 | Vincent van der Voort Vincent van der Voort Vincent van der Voort is a professional darts player.-Playing style:Vincent is well known for his spasmodic style and machine-gun speed of play which has gained him a reputation in both the BDO and the PDC for being one of the more erratic throwers in the darting world... (88.76) |
£150,000 | £30,000 | £15,000 |
| 2008 2008 UK Open Darts The 2008 Blue Square UK Open was the sixth year of the PDC darts tournament where, following numerous regional qualifying heats throughout Britain, players competed in a single elimination tournament to be crowned champion... |
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... (94.65) |
11-7 |  Gary MawsonGary Mawson Gary Mawson is a Canadian-born American darts player, who currently resides in North Royalton, Ohio, United States. He moved from Niagara Falls to Ohio to further increase his chances of success on the growing American darts circuit. He uses the nickname The Mauler for his matches... (87.33) |
£178,000 | £35,000 | £15,000 |
| 2009 2009 UK Open Darts The 2009 Blue Square UK Open was the seventh year of the PDC darts tournament where, following numerous regional qualifying heats throughout Britain, players competed in a single elimination tournament to be crowned champion... |
Phil Taylor (100.81) |
11-6 | Colin Osborne Colin Osborne Colin Osborne is an English darts player currently playing in Professional Darts Corporation events.-Darts career:Osborne has won two PDC Pro Tour events and he also managed to hit two perfect nine dart finishes in 2005... (93.24) |
£200,000 | £40,000 | £20,000 |
| 2010 2010 UK Open Darts The 2010 Rileys Darts Zones UK Open was the eighth year of the PDC darts tournament where, following numerous regional qualifying heats throughout Britain, players competed in a single elimination tournament to be crowned champion... |
Phil Taylor (97.71) |
11-5 |  Gary AndersonGary Anderson (darts player) Gary Anderson is a Scottish professional darts player from Eyemouth, Scottish Borders, currently playing in the Professional Darts Corporation, and a former BDO and WDF world number one. His nickname is The Flying Scotsman... (92.41) |
£200,000 | £40,000 | £20,000 |
| 2011 2011 UK Open Darts The 2011 Speedy Hire UK Open was the ninth year of the PDC darts tournament where, following numerous regional qualifying heats throughout Britain, players competed in a single elimination tournament to be crowned champion... |
James Wade (96.25) |
11-8 | Wes Newton Wes Newton Wesley "Wes" Newton is an English darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation tournaments.-Darts career:... (88.51) |
£200,000 | £40,000 | £20,000 |
Format
Qualifying events are held at Riley's across the UK - winners from each event progress to one of four Regional Finals, to be staged in their relevant area. Players who reach the final eight in the Regional Finals will qualify for the televised stages of the UK Open in Bolton.In addition there are eight UK Open Regional Finals for the "professional" players. All events are open to all darts players on payment of an entry fee - which means that players from both the PDC
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...
and BDO
British Darts Organisation
The British Darts Organisation, or the BDO for short, is a darts organisation founded on 7 January 1973 by Olly Croft, OBE. The BDO is a founder member of the World Darts Federation which was formed in 1976....
are eligible to enter. Players who enter through the Rileys Qualifying Round are not eligible to play in the regional qualifying events and vice-versa.
The results of the eight qualifiers are then collated into an Order of Merit table (Winner £4000; Runner-up £2000; 3-4 £1000; 5-8 £500; 9-16 £250; 17-32 £100; 33-64 £50). The top 96 players in this Order of Merit join the qualifiers at the televised stages in Bolton.
The format is as follows:
- Preliminary, First and Second Round (Thursday): Rileys and Speedy Hire qualifiers and those placed 33-96 in the UK Open Order of Merit start the tournament here. Best of 7 legs.
- Third Round (Friday): Top 32 in UK Open Order of Merit join the 32 survivors from Thursday. Best of 17 legs.
- Fourth Round (Saturday) Best of 17 legs.
- Fifth Round (Saturday) Best of 17 legs.
- Quarter Finals (Sunday) Best of 19 legs.
- Semi Finals (Sunday) Best of 19 legs.
- Final (Sunday) Best of 21 legs.
Media coverage
The UK Open has been broadcast in the UK by Sky SportsSky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
since the first tournament.
Regional Final Results
There are eight regional Open events staged each year, where the prize money won is collated into a UK Open Order of Merit table which determines 128 qualifiers (96 up to 2006) for the UK Open finals in Bolton. The total number of regional final tournament wins (after 2010 UK Open) is:14 Phil Taylor
5 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...
5 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...
5 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...
4 Peter Manley
Peter Manley
Peter David Manley is an English professional darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation. He is nicknamed One Dart as he is known for hitting doubles with his first dart...
4 Mark Walsh
2 Mark Dudbridge
Mark Dudbridge
Mark Daniel Dudbridge is an English professional darts player.-Darts career:He started playing in his very early teens, citing Dennis Priestley as one of his heroes...
2 Kevin Painter
Kevin Painter
Kevin Painter is an English professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation tournaments, where he is known as "The Artist"...
2 Andy Smith
Andy Smith (darts player)
Andrew Smith is a darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events. He uses the nickname Pieman for his matches...
2 Alex Roy
Alex Roy (darts player)
Alex Roy is a darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events. He uses the nickname Ace of Herts for this matches and is with Dave Holland Management....
1 Andy Jenkins
Andy Jenkins
Andy Jenkins is an English darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events. Jenkins had trials for Southampton Football Club while at school.-BDO career:...
1 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...
1 Ronnie Baxter
Ronnie Baxter
Ronnie Baxter is an English darts player. He uses the nickname The Rocket for his matches. Baxter is known for his fast, robotic throwing action...
1 Alan Caves
Alan Caves
Alan Caves is an English darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation. His best run came at the 2004 UK Open where he reached the last 16, ultimately losing to Alan Warriner...
1 Steve Maish
Steve Maish
Steve Maish is a darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events. He uses the nickname Mr Magic for his matches....
1 Mark Robinson
Mark Robinson (darts player)
Mark Robinson is an English professional darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation.-Career:Robinson played in his first professional tournament in 1997 which was the News of the World Championship, he was beat in his first match by Colin Fowler 2-1. The next time he played in a...
1 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...
1 Steve Hine
Steve Hine
Steve Hine is an English darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation events. He works as a baker and consequently he is nicknamed The Muffin Man...
1 Denis Ovens
Denis Ovens
Denis Ovens is an English darts player currently ranked number 29 in the PDC Order of Merit. He is nicknamed The Heat and is now based in Stevenage. Ovens is widely regarded as one of the most consistent players in the circuit, though he has as yet failed to convert his form from the circuit to...
1 Jimmy Mann
Jimmy Mann (darts player)
Jimmy Mann is an English darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation events. He is not a full-time professional and makes his living as a greenkeeper....
1 Adrian Lewis
Adrian Lewis
Adrian Lewis is an English professional darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation who is the reigning PDC World Darts Champion...
1 Chris Mason
Chris Mason (darts player)
Christopher John Mason is an English darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation. He uses the nickname Mace the Ace for his matches.- BDO and first PDC spell :...
1 Dennis Priestley
Dennis Priestley
Dennis Priestley is an English professional darts player. He has won two world championships, and was the first player to win both the BDO and WDC world championships, in 1991 and 1994 respectively...
1 Andy Hamilton
Andy Hamilton (darts player)
Andy Hamilton is a full time professional English darts player widely known for his "aggressive" style of play. He is nicknamed The Hammer and is currently ranked 12th on the PDC Order of Merit....
1 Colin Osborne
Colin Osborne
Colin Osborne is an English darts player currently playing in Professional Darts Corporation events.-Darts career:Osborne has won two PDC Pro Tour events and he also managed to hit two perfect nine dart finishes in 2005...
1 Gary Anderson
Gary Anderson (darts player)
Gary Anderson is a Scottish professional darts player from Eyemouth, Scottish Borders, currently playing in the Professional Darts Corporation, and a former BDO and WDF world number one. His nickname is The Flying Scotsman...
1 Jamie Caven
Jamie Caven
Jamie Robert Caven is an English darts player. He uses the nickname Jabba for his matches and is sponsored by Unicorn....
1 Robert Thornton
Robert Thornton (darts player)
Robert Thornton is a Scottish darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events after his switch from the BDO in May 2008. He won the prestigious Winmau World Masters in November 2007.-BDO career:...
1 Mervyn King
1 Alan Tabern
Alan Tabern
Alan Tabern is an English darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation, where he is also known as "The Saint" and "Tabby"...
- for full list of finals see PDC Pro TourPDC Pro TourThe PDC Pro Tour is a series of non-televised darts tournaments organised by the Professional Darts Corporation . They comprise Professional Dart Players Association Players Championships and UK Open Regional Finals.-Players Championships:...