Andrew Gilding stuns Michael van Gerwen to claim UK Open glory

Andrew Gilding created history by clinching his first major title at the 2023 UK Open with a remarkable 11-10 victory over Michael van Gerwen in the final in Minehead.

Gilding, appearing in his first televised final, recovered from 9-7 down to deny Van Gerwen a fourth UK Open title, surviving a match dart in a dramatic deciding leg to scoop the £110,000 top prize.

The 52-year-old was beaten by Van Gerwen in the UK Open Semi-Finals in 2015 but avenged that defeat in style to lift the coveted title in front of a 5,000 capacity crowd.

Van Gerwen produced a sublime 135 checkout on the bull to establish an early 2-0 lead in Sunday’s final, but only for Gilding to reel off four consecutive legs to seize the initiative.

The topsy-turvy nature of the contest continued as Van Gerwen replied with four straight legs of his own to regain control, converting a brilliant 130 checkout on the bull to restore his two-leg cushion at 6-4.

Gilding hit back from 9-7 behind to restore parity once again, but the three-time World Champion responded with a magnificent 170 checkout to move a leg away from glory.

However, Gilding was unperturbed, pinning double 12 to force a last-leg decider, where he conjured up a brilliant 13-darter on tops to seal a famous victory, after Van Gerwen missed double 16 for the title.

“I can’t believe it,” admitted a shell-shocked Gilding, who had lost all six of his previous meetings against Van Gerwen.

“I didn’t expect to win that game. I played steady all weekend, but I didn’t feel like I played particularly brilliant darts.

“The crowd were absolutely amazing. I have been practising more, working hard and it’s paying off. Now I’ve got to win all of these major titles!”

Gilding’s remarkable triumph catapults him to a career-high ranking of 25 and also earns him a spot in November’s Grand Slam of Darts.

Earlier in the day, he breezed through to the Semi-Finals with a resounding 10-4 win over German number two Martin Schindler.

Gilding then overcame Czech youngster Adam Gawlas in the Semi-Finals, winning six of the last seven legs to complete a hard-fought 11-6 success.

Van Gerwen, meanwhile, was left dejected after falling agonisingly short in his bid to claim a fourth UK Open crown, having looked imperious for much of the 158-player event.

The 33-year-old opened his campaign with victory over Dave Chisnall on Friday, while also defeating his compatriot Martijn Kleermaker and 2021 runner-up Luke Humphries to reach the Last Eight.

The Dutchman then registered wins over Premier League rivals Nathan Aspinall and Dimitri Van den Bergh on Finals Day to secure a spot in Sunday’s show-piece.

Van Gerwen averaged 99 and landed nine 180s to defeat 2019 winner Aspinall 10-6 in the last eight, before defying 28 missed darts at double to celebrate a ninth straight victory against Van den Bergh in the Semi-Finals.

“To play games like this are always difficult. Andrew had nothing to lose and I think he played really well,” conceded Van Gerwen.

“I think I made many mistakes and I know that, but I’m the only one to blame and fair play to Andrew.

“At this moment I can’t find many positives. I’m here to win tournaments and when you don’t do that it’s disappointing.

“It is painful for me. It hurts. Everybody knows what I’m like, but I will take it on the chin. Credit to Andrew. He had a phenomenal tournament.”

Gilding’s heroics dominated the headlines on an extraordinary day at Butlins Minehead, but 21-year-old Gawlas also created his own slice of history in his Quarter-Final win over Rob Cross.

The former World Youth finalist crashed in an incredible 12 maximums to celebrate a 10-8 success against 2019 runner-up Cross, which lifts him into the world’s top 50 for the first time.

Sunday’s other Quarter-Final tie saw Van den Bergh curtail Richie Burnett’s fairy-tale run with a 10-2 rout, converting 53 per cent of his attempts at double to dispatch the veteran Welshman in emphatic style.

UK Open 2023 Day Three Results

Sunday March 5

Afternoon Session

Quarter-Finals
Andrew Gilding 10-4 Martin Schindler
Michael van Gerwen 10-6 Nathan Aspinall
Rob Cross 8-10 Adam Gawlas
Richie Burnett 2-10 Dimitri van den Bergh

Evening Session

Semi-Finals
Adam Gawlas 6-11 Andrew Gilding
Dimitri van den Bergh 6-11 Michael van Gerwen

Final
Andrew Gilding 11-10 Michael van Gerwen

𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲. 👍 pic.twitter.com/V7B8Lrjzlb

— Live Darts (@livedarts) March 5, 2023