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Sports20-year-old Henry Coates, without a PDC Tour card, stuns to win Players Championship 25
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Henry Coates, a 20-year-old Englishman without a PDC Tour card, sensationally won his maiden title at Players Championship 25 in Hildesheim, Germany. Entering as a top-up player from the Challenge Tour, he defeated Australian Damon Heta 8-4 in the final with a 104.88 average, becoming the fifth player ever to win a PDC ranking title without a Tour card. Coates expressed disbelief and hope that this is just the start. The tournament saw major upsets, including World No. 3 Gian van Veen losing 6-3 to Canadian Jim Long in the round of 64, and Michael van Gerwen being knocked out in the round of 16 by Jeffrey De Graaf. Beau Greaves reached the round of 16 before falling to German semi-finalist Niko Springer.
Source report
Image: Henry Coates won the Players Championship 25 in Germany
Henry Coates sensationally claimed his maiden title at Players Championship 25 in Hildesheim, Germany.
The 20-year-old Englishman, who does not hold a PDC Tour card and entered the tournament as a top-up player from the Challenge Tour, secured a stunning victory by beating Australian Damon Heta 8-4 with a 104.88 average in the 12-leg final.
"This probably won't sink in until next week," said Coates, who became the fifth player ever to win a PDC ranking title without a Tour card.
"Hopefully this is just the start. I've played for so many years and now the hard work and practice is paying off.
"Last time I played Damon it was my second ProTour event, just after I had won my first ProTour game, and I think he taught me a lesson beating me 6-0!
"I'm only a Challenge Tour player, but I'll take what I've got!"
Early Exits for Top Seeds
Image: Gian van Veen lost to Jim Long in the round of 64
High-ranking Gian van Veen suffered a shock 6-3 defeat in the round of 64 to Canadian Jim Long. Long won the last three legs to eliminate the World No. 3, after Van Veen had comfortably beaten Tom Sykes 6-3 in the opening round.
Image: Michael Van Gerwen was knocked out in the round of 16 by Jeffrey De Graaf in Hildesheim
Michael van Gerwen progressed through his opening matches, beating Adam Warner 6-0 and Darius Labanauskas 6-3 in the first and second rounds respectively. However, Jeffrey De Graaf won five legs in a row to secure a brilliant victory in the last 16.
Greaves Reaches Last 16
Elsewhere, Beau Greaves made a strong run to the round of 16 in her first tournament since winning the Women's World Matchplay in Blackpool, but fell 6-3 to German semi-finalist Niko Springer.
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Henry Coates, 20, Wins Maiden PDC Title at Players Championship 25