SIMON WHITLOCK was forced to pick up the pace in a bizarre bid to keep his match against Andy Hamilton alive.
The Aussie darts ace was taking on The Hammer in the MODUS Super Series in Portsmouth on Wednesday.
X / MSSdartsSimon Whitlock needed a checkout of 80 to save his Super Series clash with Andy Hamilton[/caption]
X / MSSdartsThe Aussie found the double 20 he needed, with the dart clinging on to the segment[/caption]
X / MSSdartsWhitlock raced to the board and somehow managed to get the call of game shot[/caption]
Whitlock was on the cusp of losing the Group A contest, only for Hamilton to squander three match darts.
The 55-year-old strolled up to the Oche needing 80 to keep the match alive.
He landed his first two darts clean in the 20, requiring double top for the leg.
His arrow landed plush in the double – but then dangled precariously out of the segment.
Whitlock raced to the board, somehow collecting the dart before it fell out and onto the floor.
Mark Webster yelled on commentary: “I’ve never seen Simon Whitlock move so fast!
“He doubled up as Usain Bolt there didn’t he.”
Whitlock’s lucky escape proved to be vital in the remainder of the match.
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He went on to secure the deciding leg, securing a 4-3 win over the former World Championship runner-up.
Whitlock is widely regarded as the greatest Aussie player of all time and has helped rejuvenate darts Down Under.
A former BDO and PDC world finalist, The Wizard – recognisable by his long beard and flowing locks – won the World Cup of Darts in 2022.
But his career has stalled in recent years.
Earlier this month, Whitlock failed in his bid to secure a PDC Tour Card.
It came after he missed out on the PDC World Championships – won by Luke Littler – for the first time since 2009.
Luke Littler prize money breakdown
Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after being crowned 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner:
World Championship 2025 – £500,000
World Championship 2024 – £200,000
Grand Slam of Darts 2024 – £150,000
European Tour – £91,000
Player Championships events – £71,500
Players Championship final runner-up – £60,000
UK Open 2023 + 2024 – £17,500
World Matchplay – £10,000
World Grand Prix – £7,500
European Championship – £7,500
(Unranked) Premier League Darts – £315,000
TOTAL: £1.43 million
A disappointed but upbeat Whitlock said: “I’ve got other options. Seniors Tour, Modus [Super Series] and other things.
“It has opened a lot of doors for me, and I’m excited to try new things and have a hunger to win in different events now.
“So it’s actually a really good thing for me.
“I’ve always wanted to play in and strive for the World Championships.
“But I’m not there and I’m looking forward to new things in my life.”
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