2025 WDF Lakeside World Championship – Days 6/7

As Wednesday games approached, there were three American men still in with a chance of glory. By close of play on Thursday, our hopes had been extinguished – by a couple of teens who aren’t even old enough to play in many American darts leagues…

Phoenix’s David Fatum was first on against 19-year old Jenson Walker. The Englishman had made quite an impact on the WDF circuit this year, and was highly fancied to put on a good show against the #6 seed.

The first five legs went with the throw, meaning that Walker was a set up. He clinched the set with a nice 13-darter. The second five legs went with the throw, and Fatum was level. Nothing extraordinary, but three tidy finishes of 78, 84, and 70 were enough.

The third set was a little scrappy from both players, and despite the Dutch Open runner-up taking an early lead, Walker it was who stormed back to take the set 3-1. The first two legs of the fourth were shared, with Walker regaining the advantage by breaking serve in the third. Fatum got his nose in front next leg, but a poor attempt from 87 let his opponent in to seal victory.

“19-year-old”, you say? The next American on stage was #2 seed, Jason Brandon. Jason was sharing the stage with a 15-year-old, Mitchell Lawrie. Like Walker, Lawrie too had made an impression in 2025, lifting the Welsh Open, Irish Classic, and British Open titles. Not youth titles, MEN’S titles…

The first set was done and dusted after just 39 darts, with the Scot posting legs of 14, 13, and 12! Oh, and the 12-darter featured a stunning 134 checkout. Brandon got on the scoreboard next leg, only for Lawrie to win the set in 17, 14, and 16.

An 11-darter put the British Open champ one leg from a place in the Top 16, but missed doubles allowed the American to close the gap. A sweet 13-darter made it 2-2. Lawrie had the advantage of the throw this time, and it proved crucial. Brandon posted a well-timed 180 to leave 61 after 12 darts, but that was his last shot; Lawrie check out from.

So, on to Jeff Springer Jr. Jeff won his first round match, but his second round opponent, Scot Andy Davidson, had to withdraw through illness. Springer got a bye into the Top 16 – where he would meet the victor of the Jason Brandon-Mitchell Lawrie clash. So, it was the teenager.

While there was no repeat of the Scots first set heroics from his previous match, legs of 15, 16, and 18 were enough to put him a set ahead. Legs of 18, 18, and 16 made it 2-0, although Springer will be ruing a missed fat 14 to give him a shot at the bull on 124.

The Las Vegas Open runner-up finally picked up a leg with a nice 14-darter, with Lawrie sitting on 16 after 12. A check from 109 leveled the set, before Lawrie stuck in a 14 against the throw. Springer was looking at 50. First to the oche next leg, the 15-year-old posted a 171 to leave 88, and then finished it off for a 93.06 average.

From an American point of view, roll on 2026…

The tournament is being streamed live on the WDF’s YouTube Channel, and live scoring is available at DartConnect

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