Whitlock hits nine-dart finish in local tournament but loses in final

Simon Whitlock was eliminated in the second round of the World Darts Championship by Martijn Kleermaker, but that doesn't mean The Wizard is planning to sit still until the Masters at the end of January.

The Australian competed in the Eastleigh Christmas Open, as did World Championship contender Chas Barstow and household names like Corrine Hammond, Andy Jenkins and Richard North.

North was beaten 4-1 in the last 32 by Whitlock, who then hit a nine-darter in his Quarter-Final against Will Buckman (4-2). Victories over Chas Barstow (4-3) and Danny Smith (4-1) took the former major winner to the final. However, he lost 4-2 to Scottie Walters.