2024 Ladbrokes UK Open preview - Gilding gunning for back-to-back titles

The 2024 Ladbrokes UK Open gets underway on Friday, as Andrew Gilding begins his defence of the title amongst a star-studded 158-player field at Butlin's Minehead Resort.

The unique multi-board event, which takes place from March 1-3, will see PDC Tour Card Holders compete against Rileys Amateur Qualifiers and players from the Winmau Challenge and Development Tours.

Day One of the £600,000 event will see all 158 players in action, as the first four rounds take place across eight stages, with Friday’s bumper afternoon session getting underway from 1100 GMT.

The opening round will feature Tour Card Holders ranked 97-126, along with players from the 2023 Challenge and Development Tours, plus 16 Rileys Amateur Qualifiers.

The first round winners will be joined by Tour Card Holders ranked 65-96 in round two, while the third round will feature Tour Card Holders ranked 33-64, plus the 32 second round winners.

Friday evening’s fourth round will see the world’s top 32 enter the fray, including reigning champion Gilding, world number one Luke Humphries and teenage superstar Luke Littler.

Former champions Michael van Gerwen, Nathan Aspinall, Danny Noppert, Peter Wright, James Wade, Gary Anderson and Raymond van Barneveld will also enter at the fourth round stage, in what promises to be a blockbuster opening night.

Gilding stunned Van Gerwen to triumph in last year’s Minehead showpiece, denying the Dutch superstar in a last-leg shoot-out to become the oldest first-time winner of a televised PDC event.

The Suffolk star had previously made his breakthrough at this event in 2015, succumbing to Van Gerwen in an extraordinary semi-final, despite averaging over 108.

“I really don’t know what it is about this tournament that brings the best out of me,” admitted Gilding, who is bidding to become the fourth player to retain the UK Open title, along with Phil Taylor, Van Barneveld and Van Gerwen.

“It was unbelievable last year. I wasn’t feeling particularly confident about my form, so to lift the title was a dream come true.

“It still feels quite unreal. People say to me: ‘Nobody can ever take that away from you’. I’ve still got the trophy sitting next to me in the living room!

“It’s going to be a new experience for me as reigning champion, but hopefully that experience may help me if I get to the later stages.

"I don’t have to cross that hurdle anymore, so in those tight matches, I will have a little bit of extra confidence."

World Champion Humphries will also be among the headline acts this weekend, as he sets his sights on a fourth consecutive televised ranking title.

The 29-year-old celebrated success on his last visit to Minehead in November, reeling off six straight legs to stun Van Gerwen in a remarkable conclusion to the Players Championship Finals.

Humphries - a UK Open runner-up in 2021 - has won 19 successive televised ranking matches since his quarter-final exit in October's European Championship, and he's hungry for further silverware on his Minehead return.

"I want to keep that run going," declared Humphries, embarking on his seventh UK Open appearance in 2024.

"Obviously the last time I was at Minehead I won the title, so I would love to do the double, and I believe if I continue playing the way I have been, I stand every chance of picking up another major title.

"This tournament was where I made my big breakthrough, and if you look at the trajectory of my career since then, that's what kick-started my rise, so it holds great memories for me.

"I would love to add this title to my honours list, but I think it's one of the hardest to win. It's a really unique tournament with the open draw, but that is what makes it so special."

Ryan Searle will be another high-profile name entering the fray in round four, as the Somerset star bids to continue his blistering start to 2024 on home soil.

Searle reached three consecutive ProTour finals earlier this month, and after defeating his practice partner Anderson to claim his fifth PDC ranking title in Players Championship 3, he insists he has nobody to fear.

"I'm playing well. I'm full of confidence, and I think players will want to avoid me in the draw," claimed Searle, a runner-up in Minehead at the 2021 Players Championship Finals.

"I've started the season really well. My averages are up there, my finishing has been really good, and the new darts are going nicely.

"I think my results and performances over the last few weeks show I'm one of the form players, and I feel that if I play my game then I can beat anybody.

"I was pretty consistent on TV last year, but it doesn't help when you keep running into Luke Humphries in the last 16 of tournaments!

"Sometimes that's just the way it goes, and this season I'm looking to make more of a breakthrough on the biggest stage."

Following the conclusion of Friday afternoon’s third round action, an open draw will be made live on the Main Stage for round four, with further draws to be made following each subsequent round.

The action will continue on Saturday March 2 with the fifth and sixth rounds across two sessions, before the Main Stage will play host to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final on Sunday March 3.

Main Stage matches across all three days will be broadcast live on ITV3 and ITV4 for UK viewers, through the PDC's international broadcast partners, including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers.

Stage Two action on Friday and Saturday will be streamed exclusively for all PDCTV Subscribers worldwide, with commentary from Dan Dawson and Paul Nicholson.

In addition, matches from Stages Three to Eight on Friday and on Stages Three & Four on Saturday afternoon will be broadcast live on PDCTV.

2024 Ladbrokes UK OpenFirst RoundJacques Labre ByeChristian Kist v Patrick GeeraetsMatthew Dennant v Jeffrey de GraafConan Whitehead v Leonard GatesDom Taylor v Brandon WesternLukas Wenig v Tom LonsdaleJarred Cole ByeLeighton Bennett v Scott MitchellDanny Lauby v Nathan RaffertyKevin Burness v John HendersonOwen Bates v Andy BoultonConnor Scutt v Wesley PlaisierJules van Dongen v Thibault TricoleJack Male v Martijn DragtAshley Coleman v Tim WoltersBrett Claydon v Thomas LovelyBradly Roes v Benjamin ReusHaupai Puha v Jelle KlaasenJitse van der Wal v Johnny HainesSebastian Bialecki v Jenson WalkerBradley Brooks v Cam CrabtreePaul Krohne v Michael TaylorChristopher Toonders v Chris LandmanGeorge Killington v Radek SzaganskiRusty-Jake Rodriguez v Ron MeulenkampHarry Gregory v Rhys GriffinJoe Croft v William BorlandJason Hogg v Darren BeveridgeHarry Lane v Dominik GruellichDarryl Pilgrim v Joshua RichardsonMichele Turetta v Robert GrundyDavid Sumner v Wessel Nijman

Second RoundNiels Zonneveld v Sumner/NijmanArron Monk v Dylan SlevinRonny Huybrechts v Lane/GruellichToonders/Landman v Lee EvansJames Hurrell v Croft/BorlandGeert Nentjes v Pascal RupprechtPilgrim/Richardson v Keegan BrownBerry van Peer v Maik KuivenhovenHogg/Beveridge v Bennett/MitchellJurjen van der Velde v Jeffrey de ZwaanGregory/Griffin v Whitehead/GatesKarel Sedlacek v Robert OwenKillington/Szaganski v Robbie KnopsScutt/Plaisier v Puha/KlaasenJacques Labre v Steve LennonBates/Boulton v Graham UsherTuretta/Grundy v Jarred ColeKrohne/M Taylor v Graham HallJeffrey Sparidaans v Christian PerezBialecki/Walker v Coleman/WoltersDaniel Klose v Adam WarnerDennant/De Graaf v Danny van TrijpBrooks/Crabtree v Van Dongen/TricoleD Taylor/Western v Burness/HendersonAdam Smith-Neale v Kist/GeeraetsMale/Dragt v Lauby/RaffertyWenig/Lonsdale v Roes/ReusCallum Goffin v Nick KennyAndy Baetens v Claydon/LovelyOwen Roelofs v Stephen BurtonVan der Wal/Haines v Mario VandenbogaerdeJosh Payne v Rusty-Jake Rodriguez/Meulenkamp

Third RoundMike De Decker v Zonneveld/Sumner/NijmanGoffin/Kenny v Matt CampbellWenig/Lonsdale/Roes/Reus v Callan RydzVan Peer/Kuivenhoven v Simon WhitlockSteve Beaton v Payne/Rusty-Jake Rodriguez/MeulenkampMartin Lukeman v Jermaine WattimenaGian van Veen v D Taylor/Western/Burness/HendersonAlan Soutar v Baetens/Claydon/LovelyMervyn King v Killington/Szaganski/KnopsWilliam O'Connor v Mensur SuljovicBates/Boulton/Usher v R Huybrechts/Lane/GruellichSedlacek/Owen v Kevin DoetsBrooks/Crabtree/Van Dongen/Tricole v Cameron MenziesPilgrim/Richardson/Brown v Jamie HughesKeane Barry v Hurrell/Croft/BorlandBialecki/Walker/Coleman/Wolters v Ryan JoyceRyan Meilke v Nentjes/RupprechtDennant/De Graaf/Van Trijp v Hogg/Beveridge/Bennett/MitchellJim Williams v Gregory/Griffin/Whitehead/GatesAdam Gawlas v Turetta/Grundy/ColeRoelofs/Burton v Richard VeenstraRicky Evans v Toonders/Landman/L EvansMale/Dragt/Lauby/Rafferty v Labre/LennonRicardo Pietreczko v Krohne/Mi Taylor/HallBoris Krcmar v Ritchie EdhouseScutt/Plaisier/Puha/Klaasen v Klose/WarnerLuke Woodhouse v Monk/SlevinVan der Velde/De Zwaan v Smith-Neale/Kist/GeeraetsVan der Wal/Haines/Vandenbogaerde v Florian HempelMickey Mansell v Ian WhiteVincent van der Voort v Sparidaans/PerezRowby-John Rodriguez v Madars Razma

Players 1-32 - Enter in Fourth RoundLuke HumphriesMichael van GerwenMichael SmithNathan AspinallGerwyn PriceRob CrossDanny NoppertPeter WrightJonny ClaytonDave ChisnallDamon HetaDirk van DuijvenbodeJoe CullenDimitri Van den BerghChris DobeyRoss SmithStephen BuntingRyan SearleAndrew GildingJames WadeJosh RockGabriel ClemensMartin SchindlerKrzysztof RatajskiGary AndersonJose de SousaBrendan DolanDaryl GurneyRaymond van BarneveldLuke LittlerScott WilliamsKim Huybrechts

Schedule of PlayFriday March 1Afternoon Session (1100 GMT, Main Stage from 1145)Main Stage – 1145 GMT onwards(2x R1, 4x R2, 3x R3)Haupai Puha v Jelle Klaasen (R1)Sebastian Bialecki v Jenson Walker (R1)Jeffrey Sparidaans v Christian Perez (R2)Jacques Labre v Steve Lennon (R2)Jurjen van der Velde v Jeffrey de Zwaan (R2)Brooks/Crabtree v Van Dongen/Tricole (R2)Rowby-John Rodriguez v Madars Razma (R3)Steve Beaton v Payne/Rusty-Jake Rodriguez/Meulenkamp (R3)Jim Williams v Gregory/Griffin/Whitehead/Gates (R3)

Stage Two – 1100 GMT onwards(4x R1, 4x R2, 4x R3)Connor Scutt v Wesley Plaisier (R1)Rusty-Jake Rodriguez v Ron Meulenkamp (R1)Jules van Dongen v Thibault Tricole (R1)Danny Lauby v Nathan Rafferty (R1)Geert Nentjes v Pascal Rupprecht (R2)Karel Sedlacek v Robert Owen (R2)Andy Baetens v Claydon/Lovely (R2)Gregory/Griffin v Whitehead/Gates (R2)Martin Lukeman v Jermaine Wattimena (R3)Van Peer/Kuivenhoven v Simon Whitlock (R3)Gian van Veen v D Taylor/Western/Burness/Henderson (R3)Brooks/Crabtree/Van Dongen/Tricole v Cameron Menzies (R3) Stage Three – 1100 GMT onwards(4x R1, 4x R2, 5x R3)Christian Kist v Patrick Geeraets (R1)Leighton Bennett v Scott Mitchell (R1)Matthew Dennant v Jeffrey de Graaf (R1)Conan Whitehead v Leonard Gates (R1)Owen Roelofs v Stephen Burton (R2)Van der Wal/Haines v Mario Vandenbogaerde (R2)Josh Payne v Rusty-Jake Rodriguez/Meulenkamp (R2)Wenig/Lonsdale v Roes/Reus (R2)Boris Krcmar v Ritchie Edhouse (R3)Goffin/Kenny v Matt Campbell (R3)Alan Soutar v Baetens/Claydon/Lovely (R3)Ricky Evans v Toonders/Landman/L Evans (R3)Bates/Boulton/Usher v R Huybrechts/Lane/Gruellich (R3)

Stage Four – 1100 GMT onwards(4x R1, 4x R2, 4x R3)Dom Taylor v Brandon Western (R1)Lukas Wenig v Tom Lonsdale (R1)Kevin Burness v John Henderson (R1)Owen Bates v Andy Boulton (R1)Daniel Klose v Adam Warner (R2)Ronny Huybrechts v Lane/Gruellich (R2)Niels Zonneveld v Sumner/Nijman (R2)Hogg/Beveridge v Bennett/Mitchell (R2)Mickey Mansell v Ian White (R3)Ryan Meilke v Nentjes/Rupprecht (R3)Van der Wal/Haines/Vandenbogaerde v Florian Hempel (R3)Van der Velde/De Zwaan v Smith-Neale/Kist/Geeraets (R3) Stage Five – 1100 GMT onwards(4x R1, 4x R2, 4x R3)Jack Male v Martijn Dragt (R1)Ashley Coleman v Tim Wolters (R1)Brett Claydon v Thomas Lovely (R1)Bradly Roes v Benjamin Reus (R1)Callum Goffin v Nick Kenny (R2)James Hurrell v Croft/Borland (R2)Toonders/Landman v Lee Evans (R2)D Taylor/Western v Burness/Henderson (R2)William O'Connor v Mensur Suljovic (R3)Sedlacek/Owen v Kevin Doets (R3)Mike De Decker v Zonneveld/Sumner/Nijman (R3)Scutt/Plaisier/Puha/Klaasen v Klose/Warner (R3)

Stage Six – 1100 GMT onwards(4x R1, 4x R2, 4x R3)Jitse van der Wal v Johnny Haines (R1)Bradley Brooks v Cam Crabtree (R1)Paul Krohne v Michael Taylor (R1)Christopher Toonders v Chris Landman (R1)Adam Smith-Neale v Kist/Geeraets (R2)Killington/Szaganski v Robbie Knops (R2)Pilgrim/Richardson v Keegan Brown (R2)Male/Dragt v Lauby/Rafferty (R2)Luke Woodhouse v Monk/Slevin (R3)Keane Barry v Hurrell/Croft/Borland (R3)Adam Gawlas v Turetta/Grundy/Cole (R3)Bialecki/Walker/Coleman/Wolters v Ryan Joyce (R3)

Stage Seven – 1100 GMT onwards(4x R1, 4x R2, 4x R3)George Killington v Radek Szaganski (R1)Darryl Pilgrim v Joshua Richardson (R1)Joe Croft v William Borland (R1)Jason Hogg v Darren Beveridge (R1)Berry van Peer v Maik Kuivenhoven (R2)Dennant/De Graaf v Danny van Trijp (R2)Turetta/Grundy v Jarred Cole (R2)Scutt/Plaisier v Puha/Klaasen (R2)Vincent van der Voort v Sparidaans/Perez (R3)Mervyn King v Killington/Szaganski/Knops (R3)Wenig/Lonsdale/Roes/Reus v Callan Rydz (R3)Ricardo Pietreczko v Krohne/M Taylor/Hall (R3)

Stage Eight – 1100 GMT onwards(4x R1, 4x R2, 4x R3)Harry Lane v Dominik Gruellich (R1)Harry Gregory v Rhys Griffin (R1)Michele Turetta v Robert Grundy (R1)David Sumner v Wessel Nijman (R1)Arron Monk v Dylan Slevin (R2)Krohne/M Taylor v Graham Hall (R2)Bates/Boulton v Graham Usher (R2)Bialecki/Walker v Coleman/Wolters (R2)Roelofs/Burton v Richard Veenstra (R3)Pilgrim/Richardson/Brown v Jamie Hughes (R3)Male/Dragt/Lauby/Rafferty v Labre/Lennon (R3)Dennant/De Graaf/Van Trijp v Hogg/Beveridge/Bennett/Mitchell (R3)

Evening Session (1900 GMT)Fourth Round8x Stages, 4 Matches per board

Saturday March 2Afternoon Session (1245 GMT)Fifth Round4x Stages, 4 Matches per board

Evening Session (1900 GMT)Sixth Round2x Stages, 4 Matches per board

Sunday March 3Afternoon Session (1245 GMT)Quarter-Finals

Evening Session (1900 GMT)Semi-Finals & Final

Stage LocationsMain Stage: Skyline PavilionStage Two: RedsStages Three-Eight: Centre Stage

FormatFirst Round-Third Round: Best of 11 legsFourth Round-Quarter-Finals: Best of 19 legsSemi-Finals & Final: Best of 21 Legs

Prize FundWinner: £110,000Runner-up: £50,000Semi-finalists: £30,000Quarter-finalists: £15,000Last 16: £10,000Last 32: £5,000Last 64: £2,500Last 96: £1,500Last 128: £1,000Total: £600,000