Darts icon Simon Whitlock returns to World Darts Championship after win in first-ever ANZ Premier League

Simon Whitlock has secured a place at the World Darts Championship. The Australian won the first edition of the ANZ Premier League after a convincing final victory over Raymond Smith, securing both the coveted World Championship ticket and a check for 30,000 Australian dollars.

Whitlock, who missed last year's World Championship for the first time in 16 years and also lost his Tour Card in the process, shows that the 56-year-old veteran has not lost the touch.

The ANZ Premier League is similar to the Premier League we know in Europe, although the duration is a lot shorter. Eight Oceanic players played seven times at a variety of venues across the Oceanic continent, and the top four players in the standings got to compete in the playoffs in Brisbane on Saturday.

Raymond Smith started this final day as the favorite. In the semifinals, he easily handled Tim Pusey (8-2). Remarkably, Smith had no ambitions to participate in the PDC World Darts Championship, as he prefers to participate at Lakeside. So for him, only prize money was at stake. In the background, Brody Klinge was cheering along, as Smith's win would have awarded him the World Championship spot.

There was hardly any excitement in the second semifinal either. Whitlock had qualified as number three, but had little opposition from number two ranked Jonny Tata. The New Zealander did not exceed an average of 75, allowing Whitlock to advance to the final 8-3.

In the final match, Whitlock showed from the start that experience was on his side. Smith took the opening leg, but after that the former European Championship winner took control. Whitlock won five legs in a row with two 110 finishes. After eight legs it was 6-2. Smith never really managed to close the gap. Although he broke with a 17-darter and had a brief flurry, he failed to build on the momentum. When he failed to cash in on that break immediately, Whitlock ran out again.

At 9-7, the Australian found himself on match point. Via scores of 180 and 177 Whitlock put himself on double 4, and on the following turn he managed to take advantage of his matchdart right away to win the first ANZ Premier League to his name. The result marks his return to the Alexandra Palace stage, where he will be seen again on the world stage in December.

Raymond Smith (86.83) 8-2 (82.78) Tim Pusey

Simon Whitlock (82.68) 8-3 (74.49) Jonny Tata

Simon Whitlock (87.15) 10-7 (86.13) Raymond Smith