Latest news with #SimonWhitlock
Daily Mirror
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
PDC World Championship finalist's son making waves after hitting TV nine-darter
Simon Whitlock has enjoyed a fine career, reaching the final of the PDC World Darts Championship and winning the World Cup of Darts in 2022, and his son, Mason, is now emerging as a top talent Simon Whitlock has enjoyed an illustrious career, and it now looks like it's his son's time to shine. The Wizard became one of the circuit's elite when he rejoined the PDC in 2009. He marked his calendar with a showdown against Phil Taylor in the 2010 World Darts Championship final and later clinched the European Championship over Wes Newton in 2012. Despite the gradual winding down of his top-flight days and the loss of his Tour Card, Whitlock triumphed alongside Damon Heta for Australia at the World Cup just three years ago and has competed again in Frankfurt this time around. Yet another star from Down Under might be rising on the oche in his son, Mason, who has been causing quite a stir on the PDC Development Tour. Making headlines last year in the MODUS Super Series with a flawless nine-darter, The Apprentice even flirted with two perfect legs in a single session. "It's been quite quick, I'd say," said Whitlock about his son's progression at the launch event for the MODUS Super Series 24/7 on Pluto TV. "It's been pretty good. "We practice together and train together. He's done some really good things on the MODUS Super Series so far. Development Tour, he's done really well, and he's got some good stuff ahead of him. "I've been trying to guide him in the right direction, trying to correct all the things he's doing wrong. Just supporting him as much as I can. "I mean, he's only been over with me [in the UK] for the last five to six years. But ever since he's been over, he's wanted to play darts, and I've just tried to guide him." The pride is palpable within the family, with The Apprentice reflecting on his rapid rise within the sport, having only started throwing during the pandemic, in a similar vein to his father. "I'm really surprised at how quick I've picked up the game," added Mason. "But I think that just comes from watching the game, listening to dad, and understanding what I have to do and what I don't. "So I think it's surprising how well I've done in the last few years, but there's definitely room for improvement, and that'll come as well. I want to win the World Youths this year. I want to win a MODUS Super Series this year. And I want to get my Tour Card next year. That's a lot of work, I know, but I'm ready. I know I can do it." In defiance of the daunting prospect of living up to a successful sporting figure, Mason reveals a transformative confidence, no longer burdened by his father's shadow but emboldened by it, reports the Express. "A couple of years ago, it did play on my mind, especially the fear that I won't live up to that name, but dad reassured me. I'm my own person," he shared. "I like when people play good against me, not knowing me, just because of the last name. They'll play really well, which I respect. But it just makes me want to play better, and makes me want to put more hours on the board. "So, the more people play good against me because of who my dad is, the more I want to put hours on the board. So, keep going, and it'll keep firing me up."
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Raymond van Barneveld granted exemption to play in darts tournament as five-time world champion accepts wildcard invite
DARTS legend Raymond van Barneveld has been granted permission to join the World Seniors Tour. The 58-year-old has been named as the final wildcard for the 2025 Champion of Champions. 2 Barney will take on 11 other legends of the sport at the tournament in Portsmouth on June 29. The Dutch icon currently holds a PDC Tour Card. He was given special permission by the PDC to appear in the event later this month. Van Barneveld began his darts pro career way back in 1987. He started in the BDO, winning four world titles before joining the PDC in 2006. Barney added the PDC crown a year later, cementing his place as a legend of the sport. The Dutchman still plays on the Tour, but his last major televised final came in the 2018 Masters. He will go up against stars including Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King in Portsmouth. Van Barneveld said: "I am looking forward to playing in this event. "The sport has always loved big characters, and World Seniors Darts have brought them back, with most still playing to a high standard. "They have a loyal crowd, and the popularity for the Seniors seems to grow and grow. "I'm looking forward to catching up with the old faces of the sport, especially from my BDO era. "I'm not coming over to Portsmouth thinking this will be easy. "I will be giving my full respect to all of the players involved, and I will be preparing hard for this tournament". "To have the likes of Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King, who have not long come off the Professional Tour, and then Seniors World Champions like John [Henderson], Robert [Thornton], and Ross [Montgomery] also playing, it's going to be a real battle out there to take the title".
Scottish Sun
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Get two FREE tickets to a star-studded darts event with Sun Club
Join now for just £1.99 a month and book today HIT A DOUBLE Get two FREE tickets to a star-studded darts event with Sun Club Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GET two FREE tickets and see some darting superstars step up to the oche if you join Sun Club today. We have thousands of exclusive tickets available for Sun Club members worth £70, thanks to Modus. 2 Get two free tickets to world-class darts event with Sun Club There are 10 events across England and Scotland and each one promises a superb set of darts players. Choose from any of the events below... A Mecca Night at the Darts Dundee - Wednesday, July 9 - featuring Adrian Lewis, Simon Whitlock and Devon Peterson A Mecca Night at the Darts Glasgow - Thursday, July 10 - featuring Adrian Lewis, Simon Whitlock and Devon Peterson A Mecca Night at the Darts Burton-on-Trent - Wednesday, September 17 - featuring Raymond Van Barneveld, Adrian Lewis and Joe Cullen A Mecca Night at the Darts Dagenham - Thursday, September 18 - featuring Adrian Lewis, Robert Thornton and Kevin Painter A Mecca Night at the Darts Oldham - Thursday, September 25 - featuring Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting and Adrian Lewis A Mecca Night at the Darts Stockton - Wednesday, November 5 - featuring Adrian Lewis, Stephen Bunting and Devon Peterson A Mecca Night at the Darts Exeter - Wednesday, November 19 - featuring Adrian Lewis, Raymond Van Barneveld and Stephen Bunting A Mecca Night at the Darts Bolton - Thursday, November 27 - featuring Chris Dobey, Stephen Bunting and Adrian Lewis A Mecca Night at the Darts Southend - Wednesday, December 10 - featuring Adrian Lewis, Simon Whitlock and Steve Beaton A Mecca Night at the Darts Thanet - Thursday, December 11 - featuring Adrian Lewis, Simon Whitlock and Steve Beaton How to book your free darts tickets with Sun Club Sun Club Membership Programme To book your darts tickets join Sun Club now for just £1.99 a month for your first year. Following this, £4.99 a month. Or £12 for an annual subscription for the first 12 months, then £49.99 a year thereafter. Then head to the Offers Hub Darts Page, click the 'Redeem Booking Code' button. Your unique booking code will appear on this page. Click the 'Copy' button and then hit 'Book', you will be directed to The Sun page on the Modus Darts website to book your tickets. First select the 'Ticket Type' 'The Sun Standard', then make sure the 'Quantity Box' has ONE selected, this will grant you ONE PAIR of tickets. You will receive your tickets via email. 18+ Terms & Conditions apply, There are thousands tickets available on a first come, first served basis, so make sure to book your tickets as soon as possible so that you do not miss out! Modus darts events bring the world's best players to local towns and cities across the UK, guaranteeing an unforgettable night of world-class action where you will witness legendary players and rising stars take to the oche to showcase their skills. 2 The tickets are worth £70 and choose from 11 events across England and Scotland, thanks to Modus A selection of world-class players will go head-to-head on stage, including former world champions Gerwyn Price, Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld. Plus, see fan favourites such as Stephen 'The Bullet' Bunting and Nathan 'The Asp' Aspinall up close and personal too. 18+ UK residents only (exc. NI, Isle of Man & Channel Islands). Subject to availability. 5,000 tickets available on a first come, first served basis. Digital Newspaper and Sun Club subscribers book from 11am on 28/04/25. Online access required. Booking closes when tickets sale out. Full T&Cs apply, see below.
The Irish Sun
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Get two FREE tickets to a star-studded darts event with Sun Club
GET two FREE tickets and see some darting superstars step up to the oche if you join Sun Club today. We have thousands of exclusive tickets available for Sun Club members worth £70, thanks to Modus. 2 Get two free tickets to world-class darts event with Sun Club There are 10 events across England and Scotland and each one promises a superb set of darts players. Choose from any of the events below... A Mecca Night at the Darts Dundee - Wednesday, July 9 - featuring Adrian Lewis, Simon Whitlock and Devon Peterson A Mecca Night at the Darts Glasgow - Thursday, July 10 - featuring Adrian Lewis, Simon Whitlock and Devon Peterson A Mecca Night at the Darts Burton-on-Trent - Wednesday, September 17 - featuring Raymond Van Barneveld, Adrian Lewis and Joe Cullen A Mecca Night at the Darts Dagenham - Thursday, September 18 - featuring Adrian Lewis, Robert Thornton and Kevin Painter A Mecca Night at the Darts Oldham - Thursday, September 25 - featuring Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting and Adrian Lewis A Mecca Night at the Darts Stockton - Wednesday, November 5 - featuring Adrian Lewis, Stephen Bunting and Devon Peterson A Mecca Night at the Darts Exeter - Wednesday, November 19 - featuring Adrian Lewis, Raymond Van Barneveld and Stephen Bunting Most read in Darts A Mecca Night at the Darts Bolton - Thursday, November 27 - featuring Chris Dobey, Stephen Bunting and Adrian Lewis A Mecca Night at the Darts Southend - Wednesday, December 10 - featuring Adrian Lewis, Simon Whitlock and Steve Beaton A Mecca Night at the Darts Thanet - Thursday, December 11 - featuring Adrian Lewis, Simon Whitlock and Steve Beaton How to book your free darts tickets with Sun Club Sun Club Membership Programme To book your darts tickets join Sun Club now for just £1.99 a month for your first year. Following this, £4.99 a month. Or £12 for an annual subscription for the first 12 months, then £49.99 a year thereafter. Then head to the Offers Hub Darts Page, click the 'Redeem Booking Code' button. Your unique booking code will appear on this page. Click the 'Copy' button and then hit 'Book', you will be directed to The Sun page on the Modus Darts website to book your tickets. First select the 'Ticket Type' 'The Sun Standard', then make sure the 'Quantity Box' has ONE selected, this will grant you ONE PAIR of tickets. You will receive your tickets via email. 18+ Terms & Conditions apply, There are thousands tickets available on a first come, first served basis, so make sure to book your tickets as soon as possible so that you do not miss out! Modus darts events bring the world's best players to local towns and cities across the UK, guaranteeing an unforgettable night of world-class action where you will witness legendary players and rising stars take to the oche to showcase their skills. 2 The tickets are worth £70 and choose from 11 events across England and Scotland, thanks to Modus A selection of world-class players will go head-to-head on stage, including former world champions Gerwyn Price, Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld. Plus, see fan favourites such as Stephen 'The Bullet' Bunting and Nathan 'The Asp' Aspinall up close and personal too. 18+ UK residents only (exc. NI, Isle of Man & Channel Islands). Subject to availability. 5,000 tickets available on a first come, first served basis. Digital Newspaper and Sun Club subscribers book from 11am on 28/04/25. Online access required. Booking closes when tickets sale out. Full T&Cs apply, see below.
