Stars of the future: 15-year-old Kaya Baysal denies fellow youth prodigy Mitchell Lawrie in Winmau Junior World Masters final

Both have been turning heads on the WDF system in particular in recent times and have become familiar foes and it was Kaya Baysal this time who turned the tables winning the JDC Winmau World Masters on Sunday in Milton Keynes.

In what was a repeat of last month's JDC Junior World Championship final, Baysal who hails from Burnley avenged his defeat to his fellow 15-year-old rising star.

There was little to separate the pair in the early going with Baysal hitting double 20 before Lawrie pinned 89 in a two dart combo. Despite missing double 20 for a 120 checkout, Baysal won the opener after Lawrie missed a dart at double nine for an 83 combination. Baysal then hit 121 on the bull to break and seized the initiative in set two before punishing missed opportunities from Lawrie to seal the win on double 20.

“It feels amazing to win this competition for the first time,” reflected Baysal post match.

“To win a title on the big stage, this means a lot. I’m sure me and Mitchell will have a rivalry for years to come. We play each other more and more every week, and hopefully we can keep these performances up.

“When I turn 16, I’ll probably go to Q School next year, but I just want to keep doing what I’m doing.”

This also comes a week after Baysal showed his form on the WDF circuit mopping up a 109 average during the Romanian Darts Festival to turn heads after he became one of the youngest winners of a senior title last year. He now as alluded to has set his sights on the bright lights of the PDC and said he wants to head to Q-School. Given he is of a similar age and turns 16 before next January, the same can likely be said for Lawrie.

Baysal in the rounds before came through alongside Lawrie in a 256 player field. He did not drop a set in the early rounds averaging over 97 to see off CJ Ayres in the Quarter-Finals before defeating Jack Nankervis with a 100.2 average in the last four. Lawrie also dumped out Jack Johnson who has been heavily touted before in the Last Eight before taking down Harley Glycos in the semi-finals.