Ally Pally goes wild as darts player spectacularly closes out win with tournament first
Nick Kenny produced a moment of magic to seal his first round victory at the PDC World Darts Championship. The Welshman sent the Alexandra Palace crowd wild as he saw off Stowe Buntz to kick-off Thursday’s evening session. Sky SportsKenny produced a tournament first to beat Buntz at Ally Pally[/caption] Kenny averaged just shy of 88 as he wrapped up a 3-0 victory over is American opponent. He confirmed the victory with the first 170 checkout of this year’s tournament. However, the 31-year-old appeared tentative before reeling in the big fish. With Buntz stranded on 238, Kenny pinned a pair of triple 20s to leave himself the bull. As the Ally Pally crowd rose in anticipation, the 31-year-old paused, stepped back and smiled before completing the biggest checkout of them all. His heroics sent the fans inside the Palace wild as they erupted in unison. Kenny also clinched the third set 3-1 with the checkout and book his place in the second round. It is the first time a player has taken out 170 at this year’s event, following the first nine-darter from Christian Kist on Wednesday. The world no.76 will face five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld on Saturday night. A win over Barney could set up a third-round meeting with world no.1 and defending champion Luke Humphries. Sky SportsThe Welshman found the bullseye to complete a 170 checkout[/caption] Sky SportsKenny will take on Raymond van Barneveld in the second round[/caption] Kenny said in his post-match press conference: “I’m the underdog now. “On paper, I’m not going to win that game, but if I can play my A game, I will win that game, however well Barney plays. That’s a big statement to make. “He’s already playing Luke Humphries, I watched his interview with Phil, he’s not even bothered about who he plays, he’s already playing Luke.” It is just the second time Kenny has made it past the first round at Ally Pally. His previous best performance saw him beaten by another Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena in the second round in 2021. And Kenny admits that his progress will be down to some key lifestyle changes he’s made. View Tweet: https://t.co/lr49vCpSS8 He added: “I’m my own worst nightmare, I’m very sociable, I’ve started knuckling down, I sit with the right people now and I don’t go out. “I like a drink, and I’ve stopped doing that now, I’ve to give it up altogether. “I sit with the right people, they look after me, my manager’s absolutely brilliant, he’s got me involved with a sports therapist. I’m seeing a nutritionist – I need to lose a bit more weight. “It’s very hard, I work full-time, I try my best, and I’m climbing that ladder, and hopefully I can continue to do it.” “It’s hard when you’re working, you’ve got a personal life, social life, you try to see your family, my mum’s here today for the first time, she had a major stroke ten years ago, things happen, but I’m climbing that little ladder, and I’m proud of myself.” Kenny’s big fish kicked off night five of this year’s tournament, which also features a former world champion. Michael Smith ends the session against Kevin Doets, whilst Mensur Suljovic and Scott Williams are also in action.
Nick Kenny produced a moment of magic to seal his first round victory at the PDC World Darts Championship.
The Welshman sent the Alexandra Palace crowd wild as he saw off Stowe Buntz to kick-off Thursday’s evening session.
Kenny averaged just shy of 88 as he wrapped up a 3-0 victory over is American opponent.
He confirmed the victory with the first 170 checkout of this year’s tournament.
However, the 31-year-old appeared tentative before reeling in the big fish.
With Buntz stranded on 238, Kenny pinned a pair of triple 20s to leave himself the bull.
As the Ally Pally crowd rose in anticipation, the 31-year-old paused, stepped back and smiled before completing the biggest checkout of them all.
His heroics sent the fans inside the Palace wild as they erupted in unison.
Kenny also clinched the third set 3-1 with the checkout and book his place in the second round.
It is the first time a player has taken out 170 at this year’s event, following the first nine-darter from Christian Kist on Wednesday.
The world no.76 will face five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld on Saturday night.
A win over Barney could set up a third-round meeting with world no.1 and defending champion Luke Humphries.
Kenny said in his post-match press conference: “I’m the underdog now.
“On paper, I’m not going to win that game, but if I can play my A game, I will win that game, however well Barney plays. That’s a big statement to make.
“He’s already playing Luke Humphries, I watched his interview with Phil, he’s not even bothered about who he plays, he’s already playing Luke.”
It is just the second time Kenny has made it past the first round at Ally Pally.
His previous best performance saw him beaten by another Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena in the second round in 2021.
And Kenny admits that his progress will be down to some key lifestyle changes he’s made.
He added: “I’m my own worst nightmare, I’m very sociable, I’ve started knuckling down, I sit with the right people now and I don’t go out.
“I like a drink, and I’ve stopped doing that now, I’ve to give it up altogether.
“I sit with the right people, they look after me, my manager’s absolutely brilliant, he’s got me involved with a sports therapist. I’m seeing a nutritionist – I need to lose a bit more weight.
“It’s very hard, I work full-time, I try my best, and I’m climbing that ladder, and hopefully I can continue to do it.”
“It’s hard when you’re working, you’ve got a personal life, social life, you try to see your family, my mum’s here today for the first time, she had a major stroke ten years ago, things happen, but I’m climbing that little ladder, and I’m proud of myself.”
Kenny’s big fish kicked off night five of this year’s tournament, which also features a former world champion.
Michael Smith ends the session against Kevin Doets, whilst Mensur Suljovic and Scott Williams are also in action.
