FORGOTTEN DARTERS: Wynand Havenga who became a fans' favourite at 2007 PDC World Championship
PDC
In this column we regularly reminisce about a 'forgotten darters' from the past. Today it is South African ace Wynand Havenga's turn.
Havenga was born in 1965 in Cape Town, South Africa. In a field of more than a hundred players, he crowned himself the winner of the South African Masters in 2006 and so he qualified for the 2007 PDC World Championship. At that time he was completely unknown to the general public, but that would soon change.
Shock win over Manley
On his debut at a World Championship, he surprisingly defeated 26th-seeded Englishman Steve Maish in the opening round 3-2. Yet it was only in the second round that he really caused a real shock against the seventh seed Peter Manley, who had lost the World Championship final a year earlier, Havenga quickly fell 3-0 behind in sets. The South African came back though winning the next four sets to dump him out.
'Havenga Boys'
In the third round, Havenga achieved a higher average than his opponent Darren Webster, but in the end he lost 4-2. Havenga became a very popular player with the public in no time, partly due to his unique style of cheering. A supporters club, the 'Havenga Boys', was even founded for him.
The success turned out to be very short-lived. Havenga started struggling with a shoulder injury and never reached his old level again. In 2009 he left the PDC. Since then he works as a manager of a motorcycle shop.
The atmosphere during Wynands matches was buzzing, the beauty of the World Championship and the players who come and go just as quickly are usually the best remembered and best supported, Glenn Moody, Richie Buckle. Good to hear Wynand is doing well, great character
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