MARTIN SCHINDLER came within millimeters of bagging himself £60,000 during his 3-0 defeat to Callan Rydz yesterday.
Schindler exited the PDC World Championship on Sunday night after being swept aside by Englishman Rydz.
PAMartin Schindler came agonisingly close to a nine-darter on Sunday[/caption]
SKY SPORTSSchindler nailed the treble 20 and the treble 19 to set up a double 12 to finish[/caption]
SKY SPORTSHis ninth dart landed just below the wire on the 12[/caption]
SKY SPORTSThe German was visibly gutted[/caption]
PACallan Rydz went on to win the leg and then beat Schindler 3-0 to knock him out of the tournament[/caption]
However, the German thrower, 28, almost earned himself a cool £60k in the process of his elimination.
Schindler was just one dart away from hitting a sensational nine-darter, a feat that would have earned him a lovely Christmas bonus.
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Any player who performs a perfect leg of darts at Ally Pally this festive period is rewarded with £60,000 from sponsor Paddy Power.
While their nine-dart effort also sees a lucky audience member at the Palace pocket £60,000 too, as well as a further £60,000 being donated to Prostate Cancer UK.
Schindler was so close to becoming the second tungsten thrower to win the prize when he hit eight perfect darts, before narrowly missing the double 12 for the cash.
The world number 22 hit his final dart agonisingly close to the wire, but ultimately failed to hit the target.
Unbelievably, he went on to lose the leg, despite having just 12 left to clear off the board.
Fans couldn’t believe he had lost to Rydz in the leg, with the Englishman still having 164 left to clear himself.
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Reacting online one fan wrote: “How did Martin Schindler lose that leg?”
While another added: “Martin Schindler will be trying to hit a double until next Christmas”.
A third commented: “Martin Schindler must be furious losing that first set having missed a nine-darter”.
And a fourth posted: “What a disappointing performance from Martin Schindler. After the eight perfect darts, he was barely able to score on the doubles or at all.
“Overall, a very sad Darts World Cup from a German perspective.”
Schindler isn’t the first to come agonisingly close to landing a nine-darter at the weekend.
Luke Littler also came withing a hair’s width of pocketing £60k during his victory over Ryan Meikle.
GettyLuke Littler came close to a nine-darter himself against Ryan Meikle[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]