Scarborough darts star Graham Usher wins British Open title at Bridlington
Scarborough darts star Graham Usher claimed his first WDF ranking title in seven years at the British Open.
Usher started the weekend in Bridlington by reaching the WDF British Classic final on Saturday, winning 8 games, including wins against England internationals Dave Ladley and Carl Wilkinson, and former Classic champion Jim McEwan along the way.
Saturday’s highlight was the last 32, 4-0 win against former PDC Tour card holder Matt Clarke with an average approaching 97.
He followed this up on Sunday with a monumental display of determination, battling through four last-leg deciders, three opponents averaging above 93, to reach the Open final with a 5-4 win against the talented Jack Nankervis.
Reaching both finals is a feat only matched in the last decade by teenage sensations Mitchell Lawrie (2025) and Luke Litter (2023). Lawrie picked up the Open title, losing to Scarborough's Oliver Mitchell in the final of the Classic.
Usher had won a staggering 16 consecutive games, at which point he faced Harry Lane in the Classic final, and it proved a step too far on this occasion for Usher, a below-par display saw Lane take a deserved 6-1 win, taking out a 148 checkout along the way.
However Usher was not to be denied a title, bouncing back emphatically from 3-1 down to take the British Open title against Harrison Leigh.
An incredible scoring display from leg 5 onwards, a first nine average of 117 from that point, turned the tie in Usher's favour.
A critical finish of 64 last dart in hand levelled the tie at 3-3 and Usher was dominant from that point, missing chances to win in the ninth leg before an incredible 11-darter secured a memorable victory.
Previous winners include Littler, Gary Anderson, Eric Bristow and Raymond van Barneveld, so Usher was understandably pleased with his weekend's efforts.
Usher said: "I can't really believe it, to see your name on a roll of honour with those names is crazy. You go into every game aiming to progress and do your best, but this hasn't been my most prolific venue.
"This year felt a bit different, after making the first final on Saturday and knowing I had that to look forward to after Sunday's play just filled me with confidence.
"I don't think anyone can say they expect to make both finals, they are long days and there’s some serious quality in the field.
"I’m slightly disappointed in my Classic final performance, but pleased that with just an hour between the games, I could get past it and get over the line."