Simon Whitlock claimed his first PDC major title, defeating Wez Newton 11-5 to be crowned as European Champion in Germany.

‘The Wizard’, who had been a losing finalist in three different tournaments previously, ended his wait for a televised triumph, as he clinched the £50,000 first prize at the Sporthalle in Mulheim.

The Australian, who defeated Mark Walsh and Dave Chisnall to reach the quarter-finals, had to win three games on Sunday, beating Colin Lloyd, Kim Huybrechts and Newton to win the PartyPoker.net European Championship.

“I’m over the moon,” said an emotional Whitlock, who had clinched his first ProTour victory for almost two years just seven days earlier.

“I’ve been so close for a couple of years so I’m absolutely ecstatic to win.

“I got some great confidence from winning the floor event last week and I’ve managed to bring that to the stage. I’ve got tears in my eyes. I’m just so overwhelmed.”

Both players hit 180s in the opening leg, which Whitlock won, posting double eight to hold his throw.

Newton levelled before ‘The Wizard’ hit double seven to edge back in front, but Newton held again to restore parity.

A second maximum helped Whitlock take a 3-2 lead into the first break.

The Premier League runner-up hit double ten to take the next leg against the throw, before holding on double six to move three legs in front.

Newton pulled a leg back, before Whitlock’s third 180 helped him go 6-3 up.

‘The Warrior’ responded with an eleven dart leg to reduce the deficit to two at the second break.

‘The Wizard’ almost brought the house down, just missing the bull for a 170 before tidying up the remaining 25 to restore his three leg cushion.

He did produce a magical finish in the very next leg though, hitting a show-stopping 167 checkout for another break of throw.

The Australian ace then moved five legs clear, taking out 58 to make it 9-4, before Newton hit double top to pull one back.

Whitlock moved a leg away from the title, going bull, 12 double 16 to clean up 94 and moved into a 10-5 lead.

‘The Wizard’ wasted no time in sealing victory, hitting double eight for another break of throw, to take is maiden major success.

By Chris Murphy

See some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Untouchables,Eastbourne on Friday 19 October.

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Simon Whitlock won through to the final of the PartyPoker.net European Darts Championship with a 11-9 triumph over Kim Huybrechts in Germany.

‘The Wizard’ held his nerve to take victory in a terrific battle and will now face Wez Newton for the £50,000 title.

“That was an absolutley brilliant match,” said Whitlock, who moved a giant step closer to clinching his first PDC major.

“Kim played absolutely brilliantly and I had to sneak a bull in to beat him. I’m going to enjoy the final now and I’ll be going all out to win it.”

‘The Wizard’ hit a maximum in the opening leg, which he won against the throw before holding, hitting double top on both occasions.

He slotted in his second 180 on the way to another break, winning the third leg with a 92 checkout.

Huybrechts stopped the rot with back to back checkouts of 104 & 102, to pull the score back to 3-2 at the first break.

The Belgian hit double ten to break Whitlock’s throw and draw level, before taking out 86 to take the lead for the first time.

‘The Wizard’ ended a run of four consecutive legs for his opponent by taking out 58, but ‘The Hurricane’ took out 122 on the bull to restore his lead.

The players exchanged 180s in the tenth leg, which Whitlock won on double ten to make it five legs apiece.

Huybrechts held to regain the lead but ‘The Wizard’ responded with a 180 before hitting double eight to level.

Both players held their throw in the next three legs, meaning Whitlock went into the second break trailing his opponent by eight legs to seven.

The Australian star came back out fighting, opening the 16th leg with a 180, before hitting double ten to go level once more.

Whitlock also kicked off the next leg with a 180, and he grabbed a vital break of throw on double four.

The world number seven hit another 180 before hitting double four again to move just a leg away from the final.

Huybrechts kept himself in the match with a brilliant bull, bull, double 16 combination to finish 132.

But it was a Whitlock’s shot at the bull that won the match, as ‘The Wizard’ held his nerve to take out 95.

By Chris Murphy

See some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Untouchables,Eastbourne on Friday 19 October.

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Simon Whitlock remains on course to win his first PDC major title, after defeating Colin Lloyd 10-7 in the quarter-finals of the European Darts Championship in Germany.

‘The Wizard’ hit five maximums in a high quality tussle with the former world number one, and will now face Kim Huybrechts this evening.

“It was a very tough game,” admitted Whitlock, who is bidding to reach his third televised final of 2012.

“Colin played very well and I’m expecting the same from Kim tonight but I’m feeling good for this. I’m playing well and I believe I can go all the way.”

Whitlock won the opening leg with a neat 64 checkout and he quickly doubled his lead, following up a 171 with another tidy finish, this time 94.

The Australian ace continued his sharp finishing as he checked out 121 for a third leg on the spin.

Lloyd got off the mark by hitting double top, before a 105 checkout reduced Whitlock’s lead to a solitary leg.

‘Jaws’ levelled up with a brilliant 164 checkout, which ‘The Wizard’ responded to by hitting his first 180, before cleaning up 52 to edge back in front.

Lloyd took the eighth leg before Whitlock made the perfect start to the ninth, hitting a second maximum on the way to taking a 5-4 lead.

The pair went into the second break all square though, after Lloyd posted double four to hold his throw once more.

‘The Wizard’ retook the lead by hitting a 114 checkout with his opponent waiting on 25 to break.

The Australian then just missed double top for a 148 finish, before eventually finding the double ten bed to grab a break of his own.

And he increased his advantage to 8-5 by hitting tops, before Lloyd held despite a third 180 from ‘The Wizard’.

‘Jaws’ hit double top to reduce Whitlock’s lead to 8-7 but another maximum helped the Premier League finalist break straight back, to move within a leg of victory.

‘The Wizard’ kicked off the 17th leg with his fifth 180, before posting double top again, to book his place in the last four.

By Chris Murphy

See some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Untouchables,Eastbourne on Friday 19 October.

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Simon Whitlock provided a masterclass in finishing as he defeated Dave Chisnall in the second round of the PartyPoker.Net European Championship, claiming a 10-5 victory against an opponent that he had never beaten before.

‘The Wizard’ hit 10 out of 13 attempts at his doubles to progress into the quarter-finals.

“I had to work hard to beat Dave for the first time,” said Whitlock, who hit two finishes of of 100 en route to victory.

“The ten dart leg and the 121 checkout were pretty big for me. I’m throwing fantastic darts and enjoying myself.

“I’m very happy to still be in this competition and I believe I can go all the way.”

Whitlock took out 60 to hold his throw in the opening leg but Chisnall took the next three legs.

‘The Wizard’ hit double 18 to reduce his opponents lead to 3-2, before finding the same bed to seal his first break of throw.

The Australian ace then produced a clinical checkout of 118 to go 4-3 up and increased his lead by hitting double ten.

Whitlock hammered home back to back 180s on his way to winning the ninth leg in ten darts, before hitting tops to take a 7-3 lead.

Chisnall ended Whitlock’s run of six consecutive legs with a break of throw.

The Premier League finalist responded in some style though, hitting his third maximum followed by a classy 121 finish.

The world number seven hit double 19 to move within a leg of victory, but Chisnall reduced his advantage to 9-5 with a brilliant 167 checkout.

‘The Wizard’ saw out the match on double top to book his place in the last eight.

By Chris Murphy

See some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Untouchables,Eastbourne on Friday 19 October.

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

SIMON WHITLOCK 6 – 2 Mark Walsh

Simon Whitlock began his bid for an elusive PDC major title with a comprehensive victory over Mark Walsh in Germany.

‘The Wizard’, who won the most recent ProTour event, dispatched of his opponent with authority, claiming a 6-2 victory in round one of the PartyPoker.net European Championship.

“It’s a good start,” said Whitlock, who recorded a 96.71 average to progress. “It was great to get a win in front of such a fantastic German crowd, who were cheering me on.

“Mark is a good player, so I’m pleased to get through and I’m looking forward to tomorrow night now.”

Walsh won the first leg before ‘The Wizard’ hit double twelve to level.

The Australian ace then grabbed the first break of the match, posting double eight to take the third leg before sealing the fourth with a classy 110 checkout.

Walsh held to reduce Whitlock’s lead to 3-2, but ‘The Wizard’ responded with a maximum as he restored his two leg lead on double eight.

Whitlock further increased his advantage by breaking Walsh’s throw with a brilliant eleven dart leg.

And he finished the job in style, taking out 84 on bull then double 17.

‘The Wizard’ faces Dave Chisnall in round two.

By Chris Murphy

See some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Untouchables,Eastbourne on Friday 19 October.

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC