Debutant Gawlas denies former World Champion Burnett winning return at Alexandra Palace in hard fought win
PDC
Richie Burnett was one of the main stories coming into the first round at the PDC World Darts Championship after coming back to the Ally Pally for the first time since his drugs ban but the Prince of Wales did not have a winning return.
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He lost out to Czech ace, Adam Gawlas in a 3-2 sets win. It was an 84 average and four 180's who will now face Ryan Searle in the next round.
Gawlas missed 136 to hold but Burnett missed two darts to break and the Czech ace held. He broke from there on double six.
A 147 was missed by Gawlas for the set but he returned for double nine to seal it. Burnett finally sealed a leg in the form of 66 checkout. Double nine saw the former World Champion go one away from a set back.
Burnett set up double 12 from 136 with Gawlas way back. He slipped into double nine but readjusted for double three. Burnett went in front for the first time on double 20 for a break. A 180 and a 41 checkout saw him consolidate.
Burnett missed 116 for the set but returned for double nine for the set. He missed two darts for 1-1 and a break to begin the fourth set and Gawlas hit 82 for 2-0.
A 48 checkout saw Burnett make it 2-1 but Gawlas was still throwing for the decider. Gawlas missed 78 for the set but Burnett couldn’t get a shot at 104.
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The Czech ace pinned double five last dart in hand though and levelled it up at 2-2 in sets. A 180 and 41 checkout saw Gawlas take the lead in the deciding set.
He missed darts for a break but Burnett busted on double 10 only to return anyway with the same target for 1-1. Burnett missed 82 for a break and Gawlas took aim at 70 pinning it on double 16 for 2-1.
Burnett again drifted into double 15 this time for 80 and after an incredible 171, Gawlas took aim and hit double eight for the win.
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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