SIMON WHITLOCK 8 – 6 Gary Anderson
- Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
Simon Whitlock produced a strong performance to beat ‘The Flying Scotsman’, Gary Anderson, in Glasgow. ‘The Wizard’ took out a spectacular 164 finish on his way to victory to silence the patriotic Scottish crowd, keeping himself in the playoff places in the McCoy’s Premier League.
‘The Wizard’ grabbed his second successive win, and his third of the season, to increase his points tally to seven after six matches.
Whitlock won the first leg against the throw and looked liked he would double his lead when he hit his first 180, but Anderson made him pay for missed doubles to break back. The Scotsman held to edge in front before ‘The Wizard’ responded in sensational style, taking out a fabulous 164 checkout on the bull. Anderson won the fifth leg to go back in front before Whitlock levelled up again; hitting his third maximum before hitting double top to make it three legs apiece at the break.
The Australian hit double two to break Anderson’s throw. The Scotsman looked like he would hit back immediately when he filled the treble twenty to leave a double, but Whitlock refused to surrender his lead this time and took out a brilliant 104 checkout to increase it to 5-3. ‘The Wizard’ hit another maximum but Anderson won the ninth leg to reduce Whitlock’s lead to one leg. The world number five immediately restored his advantage by hitting double top, to leave himself a leg away from ensuring he would get at least a draw.
Anderson held his throw to keep his chances of victory alive but Whitlock ended the Scotsman’s hopes with a clinical 76 finish. The reigning champion hit double two to hold his throw as he attempted to salvage a draw, but Whitlock got the job done in the deciding leg, going off with a 180 before hitting double top to gain his third victory of the season.
By Chris Murphy