2023 World Seniors Darts Matchplay

Darts tournamentTemplate:SHORTDESC:Darts tournament
The **2023 JENNINGSbet World Seniors Darts Matchplay** was the second World Seniors Darts Matchplay organised by the World Seniors Darts Tour and was held at the York Barbican in York between 2–3 September 2023.

Robert Thornton was the defending champion after defeating Phil Taylor 12–10 in the 2022 final, but was defeated 8–5 in the first round by Neil Duff.

Leonard Gates won his third consecutive World Series final, defeating Jim McEwan 9–6 in the final.

## Format

As with the World Matchplay tournaments organised by the Professional Darts Corporation, the Matchplay used the leg format, and the winner needing to be two legs clear at the winning post, with a game being extended if necessary for a maximum of six extra legs before a tie-break leg is required. For example, in a first to 8 legs first round match, if the score reaches 10–10 then the 21st leg will be the decider.

The first round and the quarter-finals were the best of 15 legs (or first to 8 legs), and the semi-finals and final were the best of 17 legs (or first to 9).

## Prize money

The prize fund remained at £31,000, with the winner earning £10,000.

 **First round** | (8) | £750

## Qualifiers

The first 11 players were announced on 20 June 2023, which included John Henderson making his World Seniors debut, having turned 50 in May 2023. Scott Mitchell was announced as the twelfth on 28 June 2023.

The field was decreased from 20 to 16 players this year, and the event was held over 2 days, instead of 3 in 2022.

As with the 2023 World Seniors Darts Masters, the 12 invited players, would be joined by the leaders of the WSDT Order of Merit and the Money List, plus 2 qualifiers from a series of events held in Reading on 29–30 July 2023.

On 29 August, it was announced that Martin Adams had withdrawn for personal reasons, and his place as Number 4 seed was taken by Deta Hedman.

1. Robert Thornton  *(First round)*
2. **Leonard Gates**  **(Champion)**
3. Phil Taylor  *(Quarter-finals)*
4. Deta Hedman  *(First round)*
5. Glen Durrant  *(First round)*
6. Scott Mitchell  *(First round)*
7. John Henderson  *(First round)*
8. Richie Howson  *(Quarter-finals)*
* David Cameron  *(Quarter-finals)*
* Neil Duff  *(Semi-finals)*
* Trina Gulliver  *(First round)*
* Kevin Painter  *(Quarter-finals)*
* John Part  *(First round)*
* Colin McGarry  *(First round)*

**Qualifiers**
* Jim McEwan  *(Runner-up)*
* Paul Hogan  *(Semi-finals)*

## Draw

The draw took place on 30 July, straight after the last qualifiers, which also saw Money List leader Richie Howson be seeded in a World Seniors event for the first time.

## References

1. ↑ Darts results: Robert Thornton denies Phil Taylor glory at the World Seniors Matchplay. Sporting Life.
2. ↑ GATES CROWNED WORLD SENIORS DARTS MATCHPLAY CHAMPION TO TAKE THIRD STRAIGHT SENIORS TITLE. DartsNews.
3. ↑ Deacon, Henry. 2022 World Seniors Darts Matchplay Event Details. World Seniors Darts Tour.
4. ↑ Gill, Samuel. Henderson to make his World Seniors Darts TV debut at the Matchplay. Online Darts.
5. ↑ The 2023 World Seniors Matchplay Draw. WSDT - UPDATE (WorldSeniors on X).
6. ↑ Barrs, Phill. The 2023 World Seniors Matchplay Draw. Online Darts.