Former UK Open semi-finalist secures Ally Pally return with success in PDC World Darts Championship qualifier

Czech thrower Adam Gawlas has secured his place at the PDC World Darts Championship once again. The 23-year-old talent won the national qualifier in Prague and will head to Alexandra Palace for the second time in his career.

Interest in Czech darts has never been higher, thanks in part to Karel Sedláček’s recent run at the Grand Slam of Darts. The PDC responded by awarding the fast-growing darting nation its own World Championship qualifying event. A field of 65 players lined up at the oche in Prague, with Gawlas the clear favourite.

Despite losing his Tour Card at the start of the year, Gawlas has looked sharp on the Development Tour and in the Modus Super Series. Even so, his road to Ally Pally was anything but smooth. In round one he was pushed to the brink, overturning a 5-4 deficit to edge out Tomas Harmacek. He found himself 5-4 down again in the semi-final against Michal Smejda, but three excellent legs saw him turn it around for a 7-5 win.

On the other side of the draw, David Pisek impressed with consistent averages in the 80s and didn’t drop more than three legs in any match. But the final quickly showed the gulf in class. Gawlas, a UK Open semi-finalist in 2023, opened with legs of 17, 15, 14 and 17 darts to take firm control at 4-1. Pisek battled gamely, but the favourite never loosened his grip.

With a commanding victory, Gawlas booked his second World Championship appearance. Two years ago, on his debut, he reached the last 64 by beating Richie Burnett. Now he gets another shot at testing himself against the world’s best on the sport’s most iconic stage in London.

Miloslav Navratil 7-5 Jiri Smutny

David Pisek 7-2 Ondrej Plsek

Adam Gawlas 7-5 Jan Hlavacek

Michal Smejda 7-4 Alexander Masek

David Pisek 7-1 Miloslav Navratil

Adam Gawlas 7-5 Michal Smejda

Adam Gawlas 7-2 David Pisek