The 2018 UK Open will go ahead as planned at Butlins Minehead but the entire tournament is to be played behind closed doors.
The event was shrouded in confusion on Friday morning after a statement from Butlins read that the UK Open had been cancelled but was later retracted.
The tournament will now go ahead from Friday to Sunday, however no fans will be permitted to watch the action live from the venue, including those who are already on-site.
The UK Open will broadcasted live on ITV4 as scheduled and streamed worldwide.
Ten players have withdrawn from the tournament due to travel disruption: Rene Berndt, Andrew Davidson, John Goldie, Maik Langendorf, Zoran Lerchbacher, Mick McGowan, William O'Connor, Mark Rice, Scott Robertson and Craig Winstanley.
The traditional Stage Two in Red's Bar will now become the Main Stage, while all other matches will be contested as normal on Boards 3-8.
Been to this the last 4 years, a fantastic weekend. Once we saw the red warning for Minehead last night we decided not to bother even though at that stage we thought we would lose the money we had paid. The roads from the M5 to Minehead are great in the best of conditions
Rung this morning to book for next year (tickets always go on sale the morning of the event) and straight away they said it's a full refund as Butlins is closed but the event is going on. So you now have the situation that there are fans there but not allowed into the arenas to watch, they are either watching from their rooms or the 2 bars which are open
Comments
Event Rob Cross first came on scene last year, something to watch the weekend.
Van Der Bergh has just gone out
The event was shrouded in confusion on Friday morning after a statement from Butlins read that the UK Open had been cancelled but was later retracted.
The tournament will now go ahead from Friday to Sunday, however no fans will be permitted to watch the action live from the venue, including those who are already on-site.
The UK Open will broadcasted live on ITV4 as scheduled and streamed worldwide.
Ten players have withdrawn from the tournament due to travel disruption: Rene Berndt, Andrew Davidson, John Goldie, Maik Langendorf, Zoran Lerchbacher, Mick McGowan, William O'Connor, Mark Rice, Scott Robertson and Craig Winstanley.
The traditional Stage Two in Red's Bar will now become the Main Stage, while all other matches will be contested as normal on Boards 3-8.
Just about to start
As both players came out they waved to the imaginary crowd
Rung this morning to book for next year (tickets always go on sale the morning of the event) and straight away they said it's a full refund as Butlins is closed but the event is going on. So you now have the situation that there are fans there but not allowed into the arenas to watch, they are either watching from their rooms or the 2 bars which are open
Dunno who it was commentating on ITV4 but thats what they said
Nathan Aspinall had 6 darts to go 6-3 ahead with 2 breaks of throw.
But after 8 attempts Cross finally hit his double
But Nathan Aspinall should be very proud that was a fantastic performance against the world champion
Barneveld and King both still wearing ear plugs though.
RVB out of the tournement.
He looked bored and like he didnt want to be there
Gatwick to Minehead via taxi dread to think how much that cost
Really feel for him. Should’ve been banned.
RVB OUT
Chisnall OUT
MVG OUT
Gary Anderson last up must be shiting himself now
Supports Palace.
Hope he does well then.
Only 1 odds on favourite has 1 Cadbury.
Pallet 11/5 beat Huybrechts 4/11
Owen 5/2 beat White 3/10
Part 10/3 beat King 2/9
West 11/4 beat Smith 2/7
Cadbury 3/10 beat Dobey 5/2
8 names in the quarters are
Pallet
Owen
Part
West
Cadbury
Price
Anderson
Cross
Can't believe how alike they look..