Relive every World Grand Prix nine-dart finish with Coral
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | September 29, 2016
World Grand Prix 9-dart finishes
The World Grand Prix is one of the more established and prestigious events on the darting calendar, but it is also perhaps the most exciting due to its unique format that can cause thrilling upsets.
Rather than starting on any number on the darts board to get your leg going, you must begin and end on a double (or bullseye) – to really separate the men from the boys.
That also makes a nine-dart finish all the more difficult, as the only way of achieving it is by round it off with a bullseye, which is the smallest target available.
As a result, just three perfect legs have ever been thrown at the event at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin, each time by the ‘D20, 2 x T20 / 3 x T20 / T20, T17, bullseye’ method.
So, read on to find out who has thrown a World Grand Prix nine-darter, and relive them doing so, while odds of 12/1 with Coral say there’ll be at least another on semi-finals night in this year’s edition of the tournament…
Really looking forward to playing in the World Grand Prix as Champion! https://t.co/SgERcUQb2G Thanks for your support.
— Robert Thornton (@TheThorn180) September 28, 2016
Brendan Dolan (2011) v James Wade
It took 14 years since the competition’s inception in 1998 until a nine-darter was witnessed, and many believed it would never be possible.
But the Northern Irishman became the first person to do so in his semi-final with defending champion Wade in 2010 on his way to winning 5-2, and thus his current nickname The History Maker was created.
Dolan, who needed up losing to Phil Taylor in the final, looked calm and composed throughout the achievement and, despite breaking ground, his celebration was rather understated!
James Wade (2014) v Robert Thornton
There’s something about 2007 and 2010 World Grand Prix champion Wade and being involved in some of the most iconic nine-dart finishes, as you’ll find out in the below section.
We all know that he was once even nicknamed 009 back in 2007 due to his numerous perfect legs achieved during his breakthrough in the PDC the year before.
Wade is one of the best finishers in the game, particularly on double 10 and 20, meaning this format suits him more than most.
The Englishman’s nine-darter came in a 3-2 second round victory over Robert Thornton in 2014, but it is what was to follow that made the occasion all the more miraculous…
Robert Thornton (2014) v James Wade
The Machine holds the record of being involved in all three nine-darters at the World Grand Prix, while him and Thornton are also the only ones to hit one each in the same televised match – although Taylor got two in the 2010 Premier League final (also against Wade).
Scotsman Thornton incredibly matched Wade’s feat in the second set, by following suit in the fourth to send the Irish crowd into raptures as they all witnessed history.
Both players could only cheer and smile in amazement, and showed each other respect with a shake of hands.
The Thorn seems to love this event as he is currently the title holder, after shocking Michael van Gerwen in last year’s final, which is perhaps down to his confidence of hitting double 20.
Watch the video of both Wade and Thornton hitting their nine-darters below….
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