PDC World Darts Championship 2026: Beau Greaves loses to Daryl Gurney in deciding set of first-round match

Former World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall recovered from dropping the first set in his match against Lourence Ilagan of the Philippines, fighting back to win 3-1 and sealing victory with a 170 checkout.

In round two, English 15th seed Aspinall will play American Leonard Gates, who defeated Mickey Mansell 3-2 earlier in the day.

Elsewhere, Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock began his campaign with a 3-1 first-round triumph over England’s Gemma Hayter.

Rock, 24, is the tournament’s 11th seed and runs to the semi-finals of the World Matchplay, World Series Finals and UK Open this year, as well as winning the World Cup alongside Gurney, mean he is considered among the favourites for the world title.

Poor finishing from Rock in the third set, in which he hit just one of his 11 attempts at doubles, led to Hayter pulling a set back after she had fallen 2-0 behind.

Her level rose as the match progressed and she took the fourth set to a deciding leg, before Rock successfully checked out 81 to seal victory and he will take on Australian Joe Comito in round two.

Kevin Doets, Ryan Meikle and Keane Barry were the other winners as a nine-day stint of first-round matches came to an end.

The second round will begin on Saturday, with fourth seed Stephen Bunting and 2023 winner Michael Smith among those hoping to secure places in the last 32.