Whitlock produces nine-dart finish during Players Championship 9 defeat to De Decker

Simon Whitlock hit a nine-dart finish during his first round loss to Mike de Decker to begin Players Championship 9 in Barnsley.

Whitlock went down 6-5 but initially he went 4-2 up with this nine-dart finish going the usual 180, 180, 141 route.

This in turn was the 14th of the season and the eighth hit on the ProTour with others being hit at Q-School, UK Open and Premier League Darts.

It is 10 career nine-dart finishes as well for 'The Wizard' who still conjured up some magic even in defeat.