Redemption for Gilding, reaches maiden major final at 2023 UK Open with dominant Gawlas win

After losing out in the semi-finals averaging 108 back in 2015, Andrew Gilding's resurgence has seen him return to the UK Open and reach his maiden major final in Minehead on Sunday evening.

Gilding defeated 21-year-old Czech ace, Adam Gawlas in an 11-6 victory with five 180's and a 95.8 average. He books his spot in the Grand Slam of Darts and is now into top 32 in the PDC Order of Merit. He could further seal redemption by facing Michael van Gerwen who is taking on Dimitri van den Bergh next.

To begin the tie, it was nip and tuck as Gilding held a slender lead of 3-2 with an 81 checkout for an 11-darter but 'Goldfinger' led from the front from there sitting at 5-2.

Gawlas began a resurgence and was suddenly at 5-5 reeling off three legs on the spin but Gilding regained control with a 110 checkout to break throw and go 7-5 ahead and towards the finish.

This was further extended as he sat at the next mini session 9-5 up and sealing five legs on the spin. The rot was stopped but Gilding wasn't as he pinned double 20 first time in a nerveless finish.