Carl Wilson will make his first-ever appearance at the World Darts Championship after winning the UK qualifier on Monday. The 37-year-old Englishman secured a coveted ticket to Alexandra Palace, completing a comeback against Shane McGuirk in the final.
The qualifier was open to British players with PDC membership, requiring entrants to hold a Tour Card or have played Q-School earlier this year. Wilson has never held a Tour Card and finished this season 58th on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit. Despite this, he produced his best when it mattered, opening with two 6-4 wins over Kevin Lane and Jack Vincent. In the last 32, he survived match darts against Jack Aldridge, who led 5-3 and had at least six darts to win but missed them all, allowing Wilson to take three legs on the spin for a 6-5 victory. A 6-3 win over Martin Robbie sent him into the quarter-finals.
Several big names were still in contention, including Mervyn King, Nick Kenny, Alan Norris, and Steve Beaton. Wilson personally ended Beaton's run with a 7-5 win, then defeated Steve Lennon 7-3 in the semi-final. On the other side, McGuirk reached the final by beating King 7-5.
In the final, McGuirk made the sharper start and moved 4-2 up, with chances to extend his lead to 5-2 and 6-2, but failed to pin the doubles. Wilson capitalised to level at 4-4. McGuirk had looks in the next two legs as well, but again the doubles deserted him. Wilson punished with 82 and 25 finishes to lead 6-4. He saved the standout moment for last, sealing the final with a superb 124 checkout to confirm his first World Championship appearance. The Englishman, who has never owned a Tour Card, now gets his shot on the PDC's biggest stage in December.
Results PDC UK & IRE TCH & AM World Championship Qualifier:
Final: Carl Wilson (89.27) 7-4 Shane McGuirk (93.88)
Semi-finals: Shane McGuirk (94.39) 7-5 Mervyn King (86.30); Carl Wilson (87.12) 7-3 Steve Lennon (83.71)
Quarter-finals: Mervyn King (96.64) 7-3 Nick Kenny (88.71); Shane McGuirk (88.44) 7-3 Alan Norris (85.40); Carl Wilson (88.19) 7-5 Steve Beaton (83.23); Steve Lennon (89.60) 7-5 Gary Jackson (81.66)
Last 16: Mervyn King (89.01) 6-2 Owen Bates (89.88); Nick Kenny (84.12) 6-5 Ashley Coleman (88.13); Shane McGuirk (90.35) 6-1 Christopher Wickenden (81.94); Alan Norris (87.36) 6-5 Scott Waites (87.89); Carl Wilson (90.50) 6-3 Robbie Martin (88.30); Steve Beaton (90.22) 6-5 Greg Ritchie (87.88); Gary Jackson (78.09) 6-5 Graham Usher (82.52); Steve Lennon (91.38) 6-2 Aden Kirk (84.22)
Last 32: Owen Bates (99.24) 6-4 Ted Evetts (92.42); Mervyn King (99.54) 6-4 Darren Beveridge (93.47); Nick Kenny (94.15) 6-5 Jamie Kay (90.73); Ashley Coleman (91.74) 6-3 Ashton Brown (84.29); Christopher Wickenden (90.70) 6-5 Niall Culleton (84.07); Shane McGuirk (78.03) 6-4 Tom Riding (79.53); Alan Norris (90.09) 6-3 Danny Trueman (84.63); Scott Waites (96.90) 6-2 Jake Jones (77.98); Carl Wilson (88.74) 6-5 Jack Aldridge (90.95); Robbie Martin (88.45) 6-5 Paul Rowley (85.98); Greg Ritchie (91.36) 6-5 Keenan Thomas (90.49); Steve Beaton (96.60) 6-3 Sam Spivey (93.86); Graham Usher (87.22) 6-4 Jamie Owens (84.80); Gary Jackson (80.03) 6-3 Richie Burnett (81.77); Steve Lennon (94.75) 6-3 Shaun Griffiths (89.62); Aden Kirk (94.93) 6-0 Phil Coward (81.23)
