Новости Unicorn

Team Unicorn stars Colin Lloyd, Adrian Lewis and Kevin Painter will be the top three seeds for the big TV tournament – live on Sky Sports from June 9 to 11.

Defending champion Phil Taylor – who beat Mark Walsh in last year’s final – will be ranked 13 for the event, as he bids to win the tournament for a third time.

Taylor only entered three of the UK Open regional tournaments – the minimum every player has to enter. The £2,000 he pocketed for his runners-up spot to Walsh at the Welsh Regional, way back in September, is enough to guarantee him a place in the elite top 32.

The Budweiser UK Open is dubbed ‘The FA Cup of Darts’, so those top 32 stars don’t come into the tournament until the 3rd Round stage on the second day at Bolton.

Lloyd was a clear leader – earning £9,050 from the eight regional tournaments held all over the country during the last seven months. He won the Irish regional and was runner-up at both the Scottish and North East events.

Lewis won £7,200 after a consistent run – the highlight his impressive victory over Lloyd in Scotland in January. Painter just edged out Mark Dudbridge for 3rd spot by £200. The highlight for ‘The Artist’ – his victory over Lloyd in the North-East regional.

Unicorn ‘Contender’ James Wade has again shown his immense promise. He is seeded 18, while Peter Manley is at No.20. Manley remember, reached the semi-finals at Bolton in 2005, before losing to Mark Walsh.

Former World champion John Part will be looking for a big tournament. He is at No.27 and he will be keen to impress after throwing away a 7-1 lead against Taylor at the Reebok last year at the last 16 stage.

And another Unicorn former World Champion has squeezed into the top 32. Bob Anderson claimed the last spot on count back over Peter Allen, after both players won £950 during the regional events.

Michael Barnard will have to do it the hard way. He won £400, so is ranked No.54 and will have to enter the final at the 2nd round stage.

As far as the latest World Rankings are concerned, Colin Lloyd remains No.1 – 43 points ahead of Phil Taylor.

Behind him, there is a real battle for supremacy! Only 38 points separate Peter Manley in 4th and Dennis Priestley, who completes the top 10. Kevin Painter is 7th, John Part up to 12th, Adrian Lewis 15th, James Wade at 18 and Bob Anderson is 24th.

Part will hope to stay where he is, or improve, because the top 12 are guaranteed a place at the Las Vegas Desert Classic in June. Anderson will know the pressure is on to perform over the next few months. The top 24 in the world get an automatic spot at the SkyBet World Grand Prix in Dublin in October.

BUDWEISER UK OPEN FINAL ORDER OF MERIT

1….Colin Lloyd - £9,050
2….Adrian Lewis - £7,200
3….Kevin Painter - £5,650
4….Mark Dudbridge - £5,450
5….Chris Mason - £5,150
6….Dennis Priestley - £5,150
7….Ray Van Barneveld - £5,000
8….Mark Walsh - £4,800
9….Alan Tabern - £4,500
10…Barrie Bates - £3,500
11…Ronnie Baxter - £3,150
12…Steve Maish - £2,600
13…Phil Taylor - £2,350
14…Andy Smith - £2,250
15…Andy Jenkins - £2,000
16…Alex Roy - £2,000
17…Colin Monk - £2,000
18…James Wade - £1,950
19…Terry Jenkins - £1,800
20…Peter Manley - £1,800
21…Denis Ovens - £1,800
22…Andy Hamilton - £1,700
23…Tom Kirby - £1,600
24…Alan Warriner - £1,450
25…Lionel Sams - £1,350
26…Richie Burnett - £1,300
27…John Part - £1,300
28…Matt Clark - £1,250
29…Wayne Mardle - £1,200
30…Owen Caffrey - £1,100
31…Wayne Jones - £1,100
32…Bob Anderson - £950

BY STUART PYKE