Luke Woodhouse delivered the biggest surprise of 2025 PDC World Darts Championships yet. On Tuesday, the 36-year-old Englishman defeated his long-awaited opponent Mike Decker 3-1 to set up a last 32 draw with the winner of the match in between Damon Heta AND Connor Scutt after Christmas.
Woodhouse started the World Darts Championships as the number 35 player in the world, just behind Mike De Decker’s number 24. Despite this, the Belgian was seen as the favorite for this match and one of the dark horses for the world title, given De Decker’s current form and the fact that he won the World Grand Prix earlier this year.
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“It wasn’t Pally’s ally classic anyway, but it’s unbelievable. I mean, I’ve played some pretty cool stuff. I wish this game had gone a little better, but yeah, getting to the last 32, I think if you talk to any player, especially in the first round, if you can get after Christmas and get to the third round, it will be something huge, Woodhouse later reflected in his own press conference after the match. “It’s a huge achievement and if I can come here and give it my all, I definitely have the potential to go far.”
“I think anyone who has watched Mike over the last six months knows how good he has been. Yeah, for some reason that didn’t happen to him today, so I took full advantage of it. I’m fed up and he’s not,” the Englishman adds.
Luke Woodhouse in action at the World Cup
As mentioned, Woodhouse will now face either Connor Scutt or Damon Heta in the last 32. Regardless of which of the pair wins, the Englishman is preparing for another difficult battle. “Connor is playing brilliantly, Damon is a fantastic player who has proven himself over the last three to four years,” says Woodhouse, still confident in his abilities. “Why can’t I run?”
