Henry Coates sensationally won his maiden title at Players Championship 25 at Hildesheim in Germany.
The 20-year-old Englishman does not hold a PDC Tour card and came into the tournament as a top-up player from the Challenge Tour, but secured a sensational tournament win, beating Australian Damon Heta 8-4 with a 104.88 average in the 12-leg final.
“This probably won’t sink in until next week,” said Coates, who became the fifth player ever to win a PDC ranking title without a Tour card.
“Hopefully this is just the start. I’ve played for so many years and now the hard work and practice is paying off.
“Last time I played Damon it was my second ProTour event, just after I had won my first ProTour game, and I think he taught me a lesson beating me 6-0!
“I’m only a Challenge Tour player, but I’ll take what I’ve got!”
Gian van Veen lost in Jim Long in the round of 64
High-ranking Van Veen, however, was the victim of a 6-3 round of 64 shock defeat to Canadian Jim Long, with Long winning the last three legs to put out the World No 3 after the Dutchman handily beat Tom Sykes 6-3 in the opening round.
His countryman, Michael Van Gerwen, was able to make it through his opening matches, beating Adam Warner 6-0 and Darius Labanauskas 6-3 in the first and second rounds respectively, but Jeffrey De Graaf won five legs on the bounce to secure a brilliant last 16 victory.
Michael Van Gerwen was knocked out of the round of 16 by Jeffrey De Graaf in Hildesheim
Elsewhere, Beau Greaves made a strong run to the round of 16 in her first tournament since winning the Women’s World Matchplay in Blackpool, but fell 6-3 to German semi-finalist Niko Springer.
Who will win this year’s BoyleSports World Grand Prix? World No 1 Luke Littler will be defending his title and you can watch all the action on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.
