Leonard Gates has won the 2023 World Seniors Darts Matchplay after his 9-6 win over debutant Jim McEwan at The Barbican in York, capping off a weekend of tense, captivating action where the 52-year-old American truly showed his class and quality.
It's Gates' third World Seniors trophy in a row, following on from his Champion of Champions victory back in March, and the 'Soulger' will no doubt be looking to use these victories as momentum as the road to the Alexandra Palace and the PDC World Darts Championship draws nearer and nearer.
On the way to the final, Gates dispatched of Colin McGarry in the first round, before just edging out David Cameron in the last 8: yet it was smoother sailing from then out for the American legend, putting away Phil Taylor's conqueror Paul Hogan, before once again emerging victorious in the WSDT.
Reigning champion Robert Thornton fell at the very first hurdle, whilst familiar established names like Phil Taylor, John Part and Kevin Painter each failed to make the semi-final stage, with Taylor and Part's first round going to a tiebreaker in a truly back and forth clash.
Read more: 5 Big Talking Points From The 2023 World Matchplay
There was no doubt that Gates was a deserving winner of the tournament, recording the highest 3 dart average we've seen so far in a World Seniors event with 101.28 in his narrow 11-9 victory over the aforementioned Cameron in the quarter-final.
Commiserations must be shown to Jim McEwan, who looked equally as impressive and convincing as eventual victor Gates throughout the tournament, having beaten Glen Durrant, Kevin Painter, and the much-favoured Neil Duff before falling short at the final hurdle.
The next WSDT major event will be February's 3rd World Championship, and with his fine form in 2023, Gates must now be considered a heavy favourite to stop Thornton completing his hat trick of success and finally become a World Champion for himself!
Leonard Gates makes it three World Seniors titles in 2023 🏆🏆🏆
— World Seniors Darts (@SeniorsDarts) September 3, 2023
Soulger defeats Jim McEwan in the final to win the World Seniors Masters #SeniorsWorldMatchplay pic.twitter.com/FeemFsaEMP
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