Glory for Anderson after two months away from the PDC

Gary Anderson returned to ProTour competition in spectacular fashion on Tuesday, defeating Connor Scutt 8-4 in the Players Championship 22.

Anderson, competing in his first event in nearly two months, had a fantastic return at the Mattioli Arena, landing five ton-plus averages to win his third PDC ranking title of the year.

The Scottish legend began his campaign with a 6-2 thrashing of Krzysztof Ratajski, but he had to come back from a 5-3 deficit to win his second round match against Lee Cocks.

Following a third-round defeat of Mickey Mansell, Anderson averaged 109 in his 6-3 victory over Mike De Decker in the last 16, rattling off six of the last seven legs in 11, 14, 14, 12, 13, and 16 darts.

Anderson then overcame Jonny Clayton by the same scoreline in the quarter-finals, before delivering a sensational late surge to blast James Wade away in the semi-finals, averaging 107.76 to secure a 7-4 victory.

In Tuesday’s duel versus Scutt, the Challenge Tour Order of Merit leader started strong with a clinical 120 kill, leading 2-1.

Anderson then sank 72 consecutive finishes to lead 3-2 after Scutt wired the bull for 170 finishes in back-to-back legs, and a 14-darter in leg six increased the two-time World Champion’s lead to 4-2.

Scutt stopped the rot with a 104 combination in leg seven, but Anderson powered to victory in the final moments, defying Scutt’s third missed bull attempt for a 170.

Anderson won the £15,000 top prize as the young Englishman wired double 18 for a 147 checkout in the penultimate leg. He finished with a 121 on the bull.

“I’ve surprised myself,” insisted Anderson, after averaging 100.23 across his seven matches.

“My second game was a struggle, but I played well against Mike [De Decker] and Wadey in the semi-finals.

“Young Connor is a cracking dart player. He missed the 170 three times and he wired double 18 for the 147. He’s not even got his Tour Card yet, so he’ll be one to watch.”

Anderson now moves up to fourth on the Players Championship Order of Merit after joining Luke Littler, Damon Heta and Chris Dobey in claiming multiple Players Championship titles in 2024.

“I just turn up and have a game of darts,” continued the 53-year-old, who believes his carefree approach is having a positive impact on his game.

“I’ve been busy doing other things recently, but I have been away playing in a few exhibitions.

“I have played against a lot of youngsters, and the next six years or so are going to be eye-opening!

“I’m at that stage now where there is no pressure on me, but when you come here, you want to play, you want to perform.”

Despite Anderson’s heroics, Scutt also shone in Leicester, reaching his second PDC ranking final and continuing his outstanding 2024 season.

The 28-year-old averaged 104 in his first-round annihilation of Danny Lauby before securing three deciding-leg victory over Boris Krcmar, Cameron Menzies, and Danny Noppert.

Scutt maintained his momentum with a 6-3 victory over Madars Razma in the last eight, and he shot another 104 average to defeat Christian Kist in the semi-finals, in a duel of the Challenge Tour stars.

Kist, a former Lakeside champion, defeated Stephen Bunting in a high-quality quarter-final, following victories over Berry van Peer and Martin Lukeman earlier.

Kist was joined in the semi-finals by an impressive Wade, who won a slew of tough battles to all but confirm his qualification for next month’s World Grand Prix.

The 41-year-old followed up a comeback victory over Nick Kenny by defeating Germany’s World Cup combination Martin Schindler and Gabriel Clemens, before overcoming Callan Rydz’s 105 average to win a dramatic last eight match.

Despite a remarkable display of power-scoring, Rydz gave up a 4-0 lead to Wade after defeating Daryl Gurney in a thrilling first round match.

Bunting also averaged three figures in his quarter-final loss to Kist, while Latvian pioneer Madars Razma defeated Damon Heta and Rob Cross to go to the last eight alongside Clayton.

Clemens, German number two, advanced to the last 16 with a 110.55 average in his second round triumph over Mensur Suljovic, boosting his chances of qualifying for the World Grand Prix.

2024 Players Championship 22

Tuesday September 24

Mattioli Arena, Leicester

Last 16

Christian Kist 6-5 Martin Lukeman

Stephen Bunting 6-1 Jamie Atkins

Madars Razma 6-2 Rob Cross

Connor Scutt 6-5 Danny Noppert

Jonny Clayton 6-3 Alan Soutar

Gary Anderson 6-3 Mike De Decker

Callan Rydz 6-4 Nathan Rafferty

James Wade 6-3 Gabriel Clemens

Quarter-Finals

Christian Kist 6-3 Stephen Bunting

Connor Scutt 6-3 Madars Razma

Gary Anderson 6-3 Jonny Clayton

James Wade 6-5 Callan Rydz

Semi-Finals

Connor Scutt 7-3 Christian Kist

Gary Anderson 7-4 James Wade

Final

Gary Anderson 8-4 Connor Scutt