Mitchell Lawrie has sealed his return to Lakeside after winning the WDF Denmark Open men's title on Saturday, while Deta Hedman claimed the women's crown for the seventh time. Lawrie, who also won the Youth title on the same day, defeated Jarno Bottenberg 6-2 in the men's final, firing in three 180s and averaging 93.61. The victory ensures his spot at the WDF World Championship, a return that was not assured despite his previous final appearance.
Lawrie's path to the title included a 5-1 win over former WDF World Champion Andy Baetens with a 90 average, and a 4-3 victory over Ross Montgomery averaging 102. He also defeated Anthony Brown 4-2, Richard Tingvall 4-2, as well as Andreas Hyllgaardhus, Benjamin Drue Reus, and Mikkel Gravgaard over the course of the day. In the women's tournament, Hedman, who last year decided not to play against Noa-Lynn van Leuven in the same event, returned to win it this time, becoming a seven-time champion. She defeated rising Turkish star Zehra Gemi 5-2 in the final, having also beaten Irina Armstrong, Emine Dursun, Michelle Merlit, Romy Vermeulen, and Maja Oijerstedt.
Both players are set to compete in the Denmark Masters on Sunday, but their success in the opening tournament has already secured Lakeside spots. For Lawrie, the win is pivotal, while Hedman had already qualified as the defending Lakeside Women's World Champion.
