William Hill World Championship First Round

Updated: December 17, 2017

Despite a battling performance, South Dakota’s Willard Bruguier tumbled out of the 2018 World Championship to New Zealander Cody Harris.

After a scrappy opener – which went to Harris – Bruguier tied the score by checkout out from 60 for a tidy 17-dart leg. An even tidier 15-darter, with a 112 finish, gave the 2018 North American Championship winner the advantage, but his more experienced opponent bounced back to take the next two legs, and the set.

In the first leg of the second set, “Willie J” rushed down to 40 after just 12 darts, but couldn’t find the winning double. It was soon 1-1, and in the third, Bruguier was again down to 40 after just four visits. This time, he took the opportunity. Harris tied it at 2-2, but with the advantage of the throw, Bruguier forced a deciding set.

The first leg of the third went to the three-time New Zealand Open Champ, but when Harris bust from 95 in the second, it looked good for the American to redress the balance. A miss gave Harris a second shot at the 95, and this time, he made no mistake. With the pressure on, Bruguier opened 140, 60, 140, but again missed doubles (two at D!2 and two at D6) proved costly, and it was the man from Auckland who moved on to face Ian White.

Elsewhere, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson (who saw off the efforts of our good friend from north of the border, Jeff Smith), and Phil Taylor all advanced, but James Wade and Dave Chisnall are the biggest names to make an early exit.

For more details, check out the PDC website.