John Henderson wins world senior matchplay darts title as Huntly star adds to world championship success
John Henderson has won his second world seniors darts title of 2024.
The Huntly-based player won the BetGoodwin World Seniors Matchplay Championship in York on Saturday.
‘Hendo’, who clinched the World Seniors Championship at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet earlier this year, beat American Leonard Gates 9-6 in the final at the Barbican Centre.
The 51-year-old scooped the £10,000 first prize and said he hopes the victory can trigger a revival in his career.
Once a regular at the PDC world championships and a former World Cup winner for Scotland with Peter Wright, Henderson lost his major darts tour card and now has to qualify for the biggest events.
He has become the leading light on the seniors tour for players aged 50 and over.
“Coming into this, form wasn’t great,” said Henderson after his matchplay success to Online Darts TV on YouTube.
“But this can kickstart my career again. I’m just over the moon.”
The Highlander won the tourney, which was televised live on Sky Sports, with four victories over the weekend.
He defeated Englishman Tony O’Shea 8-5 on Friday night then eased out Canada’s David Cameron 8-6 in the quarter-finals.
A 9-6 success over England’s Richie Howson earned his place in the final against Gates and despite some stutters after racing into a 4-0 lead, Henderson took the title.