Record-breaker Mitchell Lawrie marks dream Lakeside debut with straight sets rout

Teenage sensation Mitchell Lawrie made history by becoming the youngest player to win a match at the WDF World Championship as he enjoyed a dream Lakeside debut on Sunday.

Less than a month on from his 15th birthday, Lawrie exploded onto the iconic Lakeside stage to defeat Japan’s Tomoya Maruyama in straight sets.

The Scottish sensation eclipsed the previous record set by Luke Littler in 2022 by becoming the youngest player ever to qualify for a senior Lakeside Championship, and he underlined his status as one of the sport’s hottest emerging stars by blitzing through to the Last 32.

Lawrie, who was installed as second favourite for the title with the bookmakers following his Welsh Open and British Open titles earlier this year, swept to the opening set in three consecutive legs.

Maruyama hit back to take a 2-1 lead in the second set, but only for the teenager to reply with a 13-darter, before taking out 64 in the deciding leg to double his advantage.

Lawrie landed a sensational 145 checkout to clinch the opening leg of the third set, and after Maruyama had drawn level, the Renfrew prodigy produced a magnificent 10-darter to move within one of victory – which he duly sealed in emphatic fashion with his second 145 checkout of the contest.

Lawrie will now face second seed Jason Brandon of the USA in the Last 32 on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Paige Pauling powered through to the second round of the women’s event courtesy of a straight sets success over Germany’s Lisa Zollikofer.

A memorable day for the sport’s emerging stars also saw 19-year-old Jenson Walker storm to a 3-0 victory over Jiri Brejcha.

Shane McGuirk made it eight matches unbeaten on the Lakeside stage as he continued his title defence with a 3-1 victory over Stefan Schroder.

Ninth seed Schroder took the opening set, but only for McGuirk to reel off nine legs on the spin for a place in the Last 16 with a 91.4 average.

McGuirk’s Irish compatriot Stephen Rosney enjoyed a memorable debut at Lakeside by brushing aside Scottish veteran Jim McEwan in straight sets to set up a second round clash with Thomas Junghans.

New Zealand’s Caleb Hope continued his perfect campaign by thrashing methodical German Liam Maendl-Lawrance in straight sets to progress to the Last 16, having seen off Darren Johnson by the same scoreline on Saturday.

Jeff Springer Jr marked his first win on the Lakeside stage by overcoming England’s Bradley Kirk 3-1, while Czech newcomer Dalibor Šmolík dispatched Finland’s Marko Kantele by the same scoreline.

Turkey’s Emine Dursun impressed on her Lakeside debut as she swept aside Paula Murphy in consecutive sets, while Aletta Wajer saw off 21-year-old Aaja Jalbert by the same scoreline to set up a tie with top seed Lerena Rietbergen in Round Two.

Priscilla Steenbergen also progressed to Round Two courtesy of a commanding 2-0 win over Poland’s Nina Lech-Musialska.

WDF World Championship 2025 Day Three Results

Sunday November 30

First Round (unless stated)

Afternoon Session
Marko Kantele 1-3 Dalibor Smolik
Priscilla Steenbergen 2-0 Nina Lech-Musialska
Jim McEwan 0-3 Stephen Rosney
Paula Murphy 0-2 Emine Dursun
R2 – Liam Maendl-Lawrance (13) 0-3 Caleb Hope

Evening Session
Jenson Walker 3-0 Jiri Brejcha
Aletta Wajer 2-0 Aaja Jalbert
Bradley Kirk 1-3 Jeff Springer Jr
Paige Pauling 2-0 Lisa Zollikofer
Mitchell Lawrie 3-0 Tomoya Maruyama
R2 – Stefan Schroder (9) 1-3 Shane McGuirk