Leonard Gates completes title hat-trick at the World Seniors Matchplay

04 September, 2023

Leonard Gates completed a hat-trick of World Seniors titles with victory at the World Seniors Matchplay in York on Sunday.

Gates had picked up the Champion of Champions and World Seniors Masters titles earlier in the year and affirmed himself as the dominant force on the WSDT circuit by becoming the first player to win three televised events in a row.

The American star overcame debutant Jim McEwan 9-6 in the final at the York Barbican to scoop the £10,000 top prize.

“It’s a great feeling, just to be participating in an event like this and doing well, it’s awesome,” said Gates.

“Words can’t explain it.

“To pull off three in a row, I’ve definitely got a target on my back for the rest of the year and next year.

“They’ll have on their mind to beat this guy, they’ll be trying to stop me getting four in a row but I’m going to put up the best fight I can.”

Gates began his route to glory with a 9-7 victory over WSDT Order of Merit leader Colin McGarry in Saturday’s opening round.

He then created history by becoming the first player to register a ton-plus average in a televised World Seniors event as he edged out David Cameron 11-9 in the Quarter-Finals.

The 52-year-old averaged 101.28 as he held his nerve in a high quality tie break contest to deny Canadian ace Cameron.

Another impressive display saw ‘The Soulger’ narrowly defeat qualifier Paul Hogan 9-7 in Sunday evening’s Semi-Finals with a 95.6 average, landing a 121 checkout along the way.

Gates quickly stamped his authority on the final by racing into a 4-0 lead over Scottish veteran McEwan – who eventually got off the mark in style with a 117 checkout.

Gates, however, continued his dominance by stretching his lead to 7-2 and moving one away from glory at 8-3.

McEwan, though, dug deep to launch a late revival, firing in a maximum and a 93 checkout to reduce the deficit to 8-5 before taking the 14th leg to apply further pressure.

But any hopes of a comeback were swiftly halted by Gates as he converted tops to seal another memorable triumph.

McEwan, who came through the qualifiers to reach his first televised seniors event, enjoyed wins over Glen Durrant, Kevin Painter and Neil Duff en route to the final.

Hogan, who also progressed through July’s qualifiers, knocked out 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor to reach the Semi-Finals.

WDF World Champion Duff had ended Richie Howson’s hopes of reaching a fourth televised seniors final of the year as he prevailed 11-9 in a tense Quarter-Final tie.