2025/26 PDC Paddy Power World Championship – Days 5-9

Updated: December 20, 2025

After the disappointing exits for Alex Spellman and Stowe Buntz, American confidence was restored as Leonard Gates and debutant Adam Sevada posted impressive wins to advance to the second round.

Sevada made the long trek from Arizona to take on Matt Campbell. A first set that was steady rather than spectacular gave the American a perfect start as he won it in four legs. Campbell posted legs of 13 and 15 as he levelled the score.

Set 3 saw every leg finished in 15 darts. The first four went with the throw, before Sevada finally broke serve when his opponent miss two darts at the winning double. Just three legs (possibly) from victory, Adam did indeed need only three legs, and quickly made sure he reached the second round.

Yesterday saw the much more experienced Gates in action, and after getting the crowd going with a high-energy walk-on, he was soon into his stride. Against Mickey Mansell, ‘Soulger’ opened with legs of 14 and 15, before Mansell responded in identical fashion. In the fifth, Gates broke throw to take an early lead. It only took the man from Northern Ireland three legs to pull level, but a brace of 14’s helped restore Gates’ advantage after the third set.

Neither player emerged from the first leg of Set 4 with much credit, as Mansell edged it in 33 darts! After going 0-2 down, the Texas bounced back to checkout from 96 for a swift 12-darter. That leg was wasted as Mansell leveled at 2-2 in 14 darts. Into the decider, and Mickey seemed to lose his way a little. Gates kept the pressure on, and took the set in straight legs.

Both Americans play their second round matches on Monday evening, Adam against Charlie Manby, and Leonard facing Nathan Aspinall.

Biggest stories from elsewhere the brilliant fightback from Kenyan David Munyua to see off 18th seed Mike De Decker, Stefan Bellmont’s 3-0 triumph over Raymond van Barneveld, and of course, Daryl Gurney edging past three-time Women’s World Champ, Beau Greaves. In a very tense and entertaining match, Greaves posted a stunning second set of 15, 12, and 10 darts! Ross Smith (#12) remains the only Top 16 seed to depart so far.

Live scoring and updates can be found on the PDC website