Tom Bissell held his nerve in a final-leg shootout with Bradley Brooks to earn a PDC Tour Card for the first time.
Brooks, a PDC regular trying to reclaim his card, had been the star player throughout Thursday and produced a stunning 103 checkout to force a decider in the final when his opponent was left on 40 to win.
However, Bissell began the 11th and last leg with a 180 and never looked back, holding throw with a 14-dart leg to earn himself a place among the sport's elite for the next two years.
A number of fancied players were defeated by Bissell, starting with Jarred Cole, while veteran Scotsman John Henderson was beaten 6-5 in the third round.
Meanwhile, Brooks had posted three ton-plus averages to reach the final, including 103.77 in a 6-2 victory over Aden Kirk in the last four.
The majority of major names had been eliminated by the last 32, the likes of Simon Whitlock and Fallon Sherrock suffering defeat at that stage while Mervyn King went out in the second round.
BISSELL BREAKS NEW GROUND!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 9, 2025
What a story!
Tom Bissell - who had never played in the PDC before this week - defeats Bradley Brooks 6-5 to secure a two-year Tour Card on Day One of Final Stage in Milton Keynes! pic.twitter.com/qXS8crqZRT
Who won the European event on day one?
Sweden's Viktor Tingstrom was the surprise winner on day one of the European event, overcoming WDF number one Jimmy van Schie in the final.
The 23-year-old was the underdog versus the Dutchman, yet held a 4-1 advantage before being pegged back to 4-4.
Rather than react negatively to the momentum built by his opponent, Tingstrom responded with 15 and 12-dart legs to earn his maiden PDC Tour Card.
Darren Plant
