Kevin Doets sets World Matchplay debut record ahead of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries despite first-round defeat

Kevin Doets has recorded the highest average by a debutant in World Matchplay history, surpassing a list featuring Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Nathan Aspinall. The Dutchman still left the Winter Gardens without a victory after losing 10-6 to Ross Smith.

Doets averaged 104.19 in his first appearance on the Blackpool stage, comfortably beating the previous debut record of 102.96 set by Aspinall. His performance was also the highest losing average of the entire opening round.

A difficult start ultimately proved decisive. Smith raced into a 5-0 lead with an average comfortably above 100, producing an 87 checkout, a ten-dart leg and a 160 finish while Doets struggled to turn his scoring into opportunities at double.

The Dutchman responded after the opening interval, winning three consecutive legs and reducing his deficit to 6-4. Smith pulled clear again at 9-4 before Doets extended the match with a 13-darter and a superb 161 checkout. Smith eventually completed a 10-6 victory with an average of 100.55, almost four points below that of his opponent.

Aspinall had held the record since averaging 102.96 on his World Matchplay debut. Wessel Nijman moved into third place with the 101.72 he produced during his victory over Aspinall in 2025.

Former world champion Humphries sits fifth on 101.08, while defending World Matchplay champion Littler is eighth with 100.83. Littler also lost on his tournament debut, suffering a 10-6 defeat to Michael van Gerwen in 2024 despite averaging above three figures.

Glen Durrant, Gian van Veen and Ricardo Pietreczko are among the other players to have reached a ton-plus average during their first appearance at the tournament.

Doets arrived in Blackpool after winning his maiden PDC ranking title during an impressive 2026 campaign. He had also reached a European Tour final and produced another strong run at the World Championship.

He finished his World Matchplay debut with the higher average and checkouts of 141 and 161, but Smith’s opening burst left him chasing the match throughout.

Smith advances to face Cameron Menzies in the second round, while Doets departs with his name at the top of a notable World Matchplay list but no place in the last 16.