Jarred Cole defeated Martin Adams in an all-English final at the Lakeside Country Club as the World Darts Federation (WDF) World Championship got underway.
The World Darts Federation (WDF) World Championships are being held at the facility for the first time, having previously hosted the British Darts Organisation (BDO) World Championship.
The BDO was dissolved in 2020, and the WDF World Championships have taken its place.
Adams, a three-time BDO world champion, competed in the men’s tournament opener at Frimley Green in Surrey, England.
His appearance was brief, as the 65-year-old was defeated in straight sets by Cole.
Cole, who was making his debut at Lakeside Country Club, is set to face Anthony Allen in the second round in another all-English showdown.
Cole averaged 93 on his debut to defeat the three-time World Champion in a 2-0 victory, but ‘Wolfie’s return to action on the Lakeside stage was fruitless.
Cole took an early hold, but Adams responded with a 121 checkout on the bull, just as the former was about to pounce for a break.
Cole raced round the board from 40, but Adams couldn’t pin 134, thus Cole walked away from the set with a throw hold. With Adams back on 91 and unable to hold, he sealed the opening set on double eight.
Cole sealed a 16-darter to break and began his throw with a 180, only for Adams to hit one of his own but lose the opportunity to break back.
‘The King of the Castle,’ however, missed three at double 16, and Adams levelled up. Only for Cole to break back on double 20 to put the game out of reach. From there, he secured the deal with an 85 checkout on double 10.
Other ties:
Kim McEwan of Scotland will face fourth seed Aaron Turner of England in the second round.
In the first round, McEwan defeated New Zealand’s Landon Gardiner in straight sets.
The top eight seeds in the women’s draw received byes as well.
Wales’ Rhian O’Sullivan defeated England’s Paula Jacklin in straight sets in the opening round.
In the second round, O’Sullivan will face second seed Corrine Hammond of Australia.
The tournament’s top seed, England’s Deta Hedman, will face the winner of the scheduled match between Scotland’s Lorraine Hyde and Australia’s Tori Kewish.
In his opening round encounter, England’s Johnny Haines defeated compatriot John Scott in straight sets.
Haines’ reward will be a second-round match against the tournament’s top seed, Belgium’s Brian Raman.
Raman was one of the seeds who received byes into the competition’s second round.
