Spectacular start to UK Open: Niko Springer opens with average of almost 116 in match won against Cor Dekker

Niko Springer started the UK Open very strong. The German left poor Cor Dekker in the first round, who saw his opponent throw an average of no less than 115.92.

Dekker hit 120 in the first leg to take a 1-0 lead, but Springer took the lead with a 12-darter and a 14-darter. Springer missed two chances to make it 3-1, but then succeeded with a 16-darter.

In the fifth leg, Dekker managed to halve the deficit with double 10, but Springer immediately doubled the margin again with an 11-darter. With another 11-darter followed by a 12-darter, Springer then took the win 6-2.

Springer's average is the second highest average ever in the history of the UK Open. The record still stands in the name of Phil Taylor, set in 2010. Back then, he defeated Kevin Painter 9-0 thanks to a 118.66 average. At the time, that was also a world record. That record was finally tightened in 2016 by Michael van Gerwen. The Dutchman managed to throw an average of 123.40 in his match against Michael Smith during the 2016 Premier League edition.