Darts fans can’t wait to see Owen Bates in action after the player with the rudest nickname in the sport booked his place at the World Championships.
Bates will make his Ally Pally debut in December after qualifying for the pinnacle event of the darting calendar thanks to his second place finish on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit. The 20-year-old is currently ranked 125 in the PDC Order of Merit but his performances over the last 12 months have seen him land a place on the biggest stage.
Despite his unknown reputation, Bates is known among the darting world for his incredible nickname. Forget the current aliases such as The Iceman and Snakebite and previous favourites such as Andy ‘The Pie Man’ Smith – now Owen ‘The Master’ Bates is set to grab his opportunity at Ally Pally with both hands.
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Following his qualification for the worlds, darts fans have all been pleading the same thing on Twitter, as one fan said: “Don’t make him change his nickname”. While a second commented: “Let him keep his nickname please PDC.”
Bates won the PDC Challenge Tour 19 in Milton Keynes earlier this year and signed a deal with darts manufactory Loxley Darts – becoming a regular sparring partner to Ryan Searle. ‘The Master’ booked his place on Monday after edging out Mike Warburton in the Challenge Tour 24 semi-final – securing his PDC Tour Card for 2024/25 in the process as well.
Is Owen Bates’ nickname the best in darts? Let us know in the comments section.
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The Exeter-born ace will join Challenge Tour winner Berry van Peer at the Worlds, who will also be a debutant at Ally Pall. Former Premier League hero John Henderson just miss edout on a place in the championship this year.
Other notable names who have already booked their place in the final 96 through winning events and tournaments include Philippines World Cup star Lourence Ilagan, 16-year-old sensation Luke Littler and ‘Queen of the Palace’ Fallon Sherrock.
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