LUKE WOODHOUSE HITS NINE-DARTER AT EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Luke Woodhouse threw his first televised nine-darter during a 6-3 first-round win over Dirk van Duijvenbode at the European Championship in Dortmund on Thursday. He hit two successive 180s in the fourth leg before checking out from 141. World number two Luke Humphries withdrew from the tournament after a diagnosis of gastroenteritis. Belgian Kim Huybrechts replaced Humphries in the draw and beat Ryan Searle 6-1. The PDC said Huybrechts qualified as the highest-ranked player in the 2026 European Tour rankings who had not already secured a place.

“It’s my first one on a big stage,” Woodhouse said. “I tried to keep myself nice and calm. It was more about not letting him back into the game.” Defending champion Gian van Veen beat Andrew Gilding 6-4 and will face Woodhouse in the last 16. Stephen Bunting checked out from 160 in the deciding leg of a 6-5 win over Danny Noppert. Huybrechts hit six 180s against Searle and will meet Bunting in the second round.

Humphries entered the European Championship after winning the World Grand Prix and losing the Swiss Darts Trophy final to Jonny Clayton. Gerwyn Price beat Rob Cross 6-2 and will play Cameron Menzies, who defeated Niels Zonneveld 6-3. Damon Heta won the deciding leg against James Wade to advance 6-5. World number one Luke Littler is due to open his campaign against William O’Connor on Friday.