Simon Whitlock facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Simon Whitlock
Whitlock in 2017
Personal information
Nickname	"The Wizard"
Born	(1969-03-03) 3 March 1969 (age 55) Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia
Home town	Hornsby, Australia and Waterlooville, England
Darts information
Playing darts since	1984
Darts	23g Winmau Signature
Laterality	Right-handed
Walk-on music	"Down Under" by Men at Work
Organisation (see split in darts)
BDO	2004–2009
PDC	2001–2004, 2009– (Tour Card: 2011–2024)
BDO majors – best performances
World Ch'ship	Runner Up: 2008
World Masters	Quarter Final: 2007
World Darts Trophy	Last 16: 2005, 2006, 2007
Int. Darts League	Semi Final: 2005, 2006
PDC premier events – best performances
World Ch'ship	Runner Up: 2010
World Matchplay	Semi Final: 2010, 2014
World Grand Prix	Runner Up: 2017
Grand Slam	Semi Final: 2020
Premier League	Runner Up: 2012
Ch'ship League	Runner Up: 2012
Desert Classic	Last 32: 2009
European Ch'ship	Winner (1): 2012
UK Open	Quarter Final: 2017, 2021
Players Ch'ship Finals	Semi Final: 2012
Masters	Quarter Final: 2013, 2022
Champions League	Group Stage: 2018
World Series Finals	Quarter Final: 2016, 2018
Other tournament wins
PDC World Cup of Darts – (Team event) 2022 Australian Grand Masters 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Australian Masters 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007 Basingstoke Open 2022 Gleneagle Irish Masters 2010 Japan Open 2006 Jarvis Cup 2024 New Zealand Masters 2005 Pacific Masters 2004, 2006, 2008 DPA Pro Tour DPA Pro Tour (Australian Singles) 2010 DPA Pro Tour (Castle Hill) 2006 DPA Pro Tour (Coota) 2004 DPA Pro Tour (Criterion Hotel Open) 2009 DPA Pro Tour (Goulburn) 2007, 2009 (x2) DPA Pro Tour (Illawarra Yacht Club Classic) 2009 (x2) DPA Pro Tour (Jannali) 2006 DPA Pro Tour (Mildura) 2009 DPA Pro Tour (Mittagong) 2007, 2009 DPA Pro Tour (Oceanic Masters) 2002, 2010 DPA Pro Tour (Oak Flats) 2006 DPA Pro Tour (Oak Flats Soundwaves Open) 2007 DPA Pro Tour (Queensland Open) 2009 DPA Pro Tour (Pine Rivers Open) 2007 DPA Pro Tour (Revesby) 2010 DPA Pro Tour (Russell Stewart Classic) 2006, 2007 (x2), 2009 DPA Pro Tour (Southern Illawarra Open) 2009 DPA Pro Tour (Unanderra) 2010 DPA Pro Tour (Viva Las Vegas) 2009 DPA Pro Tour (Wagga Classic) 2007 (x2) DPA Pro Tour (Wattle Time) 2004 European Tour Events Dutch Darts Masters 2012 Players Championships Players Championship (Bad Nauheim) 2010 Players Championship (Barnsley) 2012, 2016, 2017 Players Championship (Bobby Bourn Memorial) 2010 Players Championship (Coventry) 2014 Players Championship (Crawley) 2012 Players Championship (Derby) 2010 Players Championship (Dublin) 2010, 2016 Players Championship (Salzburg) 2010 Players Championship (Wigan) 2010 UK Open Regionals/Qualifiers UK Open Qualifier 2013, 2017 (x2)

Simon Whitlock (born 3 March 1969) is an Australian professional darts player who formerly competed in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, having previously competed in British Darts Organisation (BDO) events. Nicknamed "The Wizard", he won the premier event 2012 European Championship, and the 2022 World Cup of Darts for Australia, partnering Damon Heta. Whitlock is also a two-time World Championship finalist, having been the runner-up at the BDO World Darts Championship in 2008, and the PDC World Darts Championship in 2010. His defeat also made him the only player to have never won a World Championship after reaching the final in both the BDO and PDC.

Early darts career

Whitlock in 2006

In 2003, Whitlock reached the last 16 of the World Championship, with wins over Paul Williams and Peter Manley, but lost to Richie Burnett 5–3.

In 2005, Whitlock made the semi-finals of the 2005 BDO World Championship but lost to Martin Adams 5–0. In other major events, he also reached the semi-finals of the International Darts League in both 2005 and 2006, losing to Mervyn King and Raymond van Barneveld respectively.

Whitlock won the first two events in the Dartplayers Australia (DPA) series of tournaments. Whitlock competed in the BDO World Championship, achieving wins over Edwin Max, Fabian Roosenbrand, Ted Hankey, and Brian Woods to reach the final, where he lost to Mark Webster 7–5.

Whitlock entered the 2009 BDO World Darts Championship as the number twelve seed and reached the second round, defeating Mark Barilli, but losing to Darryl Fitton.

Return to PDC

Whitlock returned to the PDC on 19 March 2009. He began playing in the AGP circuit where he won eight tournaments. He qualified for the Las Vegas Desert Classic but lost in the first round of the televised stages against Terry Jenkins.

At the 2009 Grand Slam of Darts Whitlock won all 3 of his group stage games with wins over Ted Hankey, Wayne Mardle and Scott Waites. In the last 16 he defeated 1996 BDO World Champion Steve Beaton 10–1 but lost to eventual runner up Scott Waites.

At the 2010 PDC World Championship, Whitlock defeated Colin Osborne, Wayne Jones, Terry Jenkins, James Wade, and Raymond van Barneveld before losing to Phil Taylor 7–3.

After his run to the World Championship final, it was announced that he would be competing in the 2010 Premier League Darts as a wild card. He finished second in the table, therefore qialifuing for the semi-finals where he lost 8-6 to James Wade.

On his World Matchplay debut in 2010, Whitlock reached the semi-finals before losing to Phil Taylor. At the 2010 Grand Slam of Darts, he lost all three of his group matches against Dave Chisnall, Colin Osborne and Robert Thornton.

Whitlock represented Australia alongside Paul Nicholson during the inaugural PDC World Cup of Darts in December 2010, losing out in the semi-finals to Wales' Mark Webster and Barrie Bates.

2011–2012

At the 2011 PDC World Darts Championship, Whitlock defeated Steve Evans and Denis Ovens before losing to Vincent van der Voort in the third round. He competed in the 2011 Premier League, but finished sixth.

During the 2011 PDC Pro Tour, he became the first player to hit nine-dart finishes in successive Pro Tour events.

At the 2011 World Matchplay, Whitlock defeated Peter Wright and Denis Ovens to reach the quarter-finals. He was defeated by Andy Hamilton 17–15.

Whitlock was forced to withdraw from the 2011 Grand Slam of Darts and 2011 Players Championship Finals through injury. He played at 2012 World Championship where beat Dennis Smith,. Steve Beaton, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson before losing to Andy Hamilton 6–5.

Whitlock partnered Nicholson again at the 2012 PDC World Cup of Darts. Together they achieved victories over Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands to final, where they played the England's Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis. Whitlock and Nicholson both missed two darts each to win the match in a sudden death leg.

He was picked for the Premier League. Whitlock won seven of his fourteen league games to finish second in the table, qualifying him for the play-offs. Whitlock played Andy Hamilton in the semi-finals, he hit a nine darter in the second leg of the semi-final, and won the match to reach the final. There he played Phil Taylor and lost 10–7.

Whitlock hit a nine-darter in his second round match at the 2012 Austrian Darts Open (ET1) against Joe Cullen, but lost 6–4.

Whitlock achieved a 6–4 victory over Andy Hamilton in the final of Players Championship 12. At the following week's European Championship, he won his first major title. Whitlock took the title with an 11–5 win over Wes Newton. Whitlock then won his first European Tour title at the 2012 Dutch Darts Masters, defeating his World Cup partner Paul Nicholson 6–1 in the final.

Whitlock lost to Taylor in the final of the 2012 Championship League Darts, 6–5. He then won his second Players Championship of the year with a 6–2 defeat of Dennis Priestley in the final. Whitlock was the second seed for the 2012 Players Championship Finals where he beat Jamie Caven 6–3 in the first round. Whitlock then defeated Ronnie Baxter, and Gary Anderson, but lost to Phil Taylor in the semi-finals 11–2.

2013

Whitlock won his first two matches in the 2013 World Championship without dropping a set and then won a deciding set against Dave Chisnall. However, he lost to Raymond van Barneveld 5–1. In his third World Cup of Darts with Paul Nicholson the pair were defeated 5–1 by Belgium's Ronny Huybrechts and Kim Huybrechts.

He competed in the 2013 Premier League. but finished sixth in the table.

Whitlock won his first tournament of 2013 at the fifth UK Open Qualifier. He beat Michael van Gerwen 6–1 in the final. Van Gerwen beat Whitlock in the final of the 2013 European Darts Open 6–2. Whitlock won the award for televised performance of the year at the PDC Awards Dinner for his quarter-final win over Jamie Caven, but lost to Adrian Lewis 11–6 in the 2013 European Championship final.

2014

Whitlock beat Ian White 5–4 in the quarter-finals of the 2014 PDC World Darts Championship. However, he was defeated by Peter Wright 6–2 in the semi-finals. Whitlock moved up to third in the world rankings after the tournament. Whitlock competed in the Premier League but only won one of his nine matches to be eliminated from the competition. Whitlock and Nicholson reached the semi-finals of the 2014 PDC World Cup of Darts where they faced England's Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis. Whitlock was beaten 4–1 by Taylor, but Nicholson overcame Lewis 4–2, before Australia lost 4–0 in the doubles decider. Whitlock won Players Championship 12 by beating James Wade 6–3 in the final. He reached the final of the 2014 European Darts Open, but lost 6–2 against Wright.

At the World Matchplay, Whitlock recorded wins over Kevin Painter, Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade to reach the semi-finals of the event for the second time. He was defeated by Michael van Gerwen. He also lost to van Gerwen in the final of the Singapore Darts Masters.

2015

At the 2015 World Championship Whitlock he was beaten 3–1 by Darren Webster in the first round. Whitlock did not receive a wildcard to compete in the Premier League, meaning he missed the event for the first time since 2009.

2016

Whitlock lost to Ricky Evans 3–2 in the first round of the 2016 World Championship. In October, Whitlock won Players Championship 18, defeating Ronny Huybrechts 6–5 in the final.

Whitlock beat Alan Norris in a deciding set at the World Grand Prix. but lost to van Gerwen in the quarter-finals. He defeated Chris Dobey to win his second title of the year at Players Championship 19.

2017

Whitlock in 2017

Whitlock was beaten 4–0 in the second round of the 2017 World Championship by Darren Webster. Whitlock defeated Gary Anderson 6–4 in the final to win UK Open Qualifier 2. He also claimed the fifth event by beating Ronny Huybrechts 6–3. At the main event he was defeated 10–9 by Daryl Gurney in the quarter-finals. He won his third ranking event title of 2017 a week later, winning Players Championship 4.

2020

After a drop in rankings and form over 2019, Whitlock made two televised semi-final appearances in 2020, at the World Grand Prix & Grand Slam, as well as a quarter-final in the World Matchplay. He beat Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals at both the Grand Prix and the Slam, defeating van Gerwen 16–15 in a deciding leg at the Grand Slam. Whitlock also hit a Grand Slam record 20 180s in a match during that win against van Gerwen.

2024

At the 2024 PDC World Championship Whitlock defeated Paolo Nebrida 3–2 in the first round. However, he lost to Gary Anderson 3–0 in the second round.

Personal life

Whitlock has three sons from two previous marriages: Nicholas (born 1991), Mason (born 2003), and Locky (born 2007). He is a fan of Portsmouth F.C.

In 2012, Whitlock, together with the seven other players who competed in the Premier League, recorded a charity single with Chas Hodges and his band called 'Got My Tickets for the Darts' which was written by Chas. It was released on 18 May, the night after the play-offs at the O2 in London, where it was premiered. Proceeds from the single were donated to the Haven House Children's Hospice.

World Championship performances

BDO

• 2005: Semi-finals (lost to Martin Adams 0–5)
• 2006: Second round (lost to Paul Hanvidge 2–4)
• 2007: Second round (lost to Niels de Ruiter 3–4)
• 2008: Runner-up (lost to Mark Webster 5–7)
• 2009: Second round (lost to Darryl Fitton 2–4)

PDC

• 2003: Third round (lost to Richie Burnett 3–5)
• 2010: Runner-up (lost to Phil Taylor 3–7)
• 2011: Third round (lost to Vincent van der Voort 2–4)
• 2012: Semi-finals (lost to Andy Hamilton 5–6)
• 2013: Quarter-finals (lost to Raymond van Barneveld 1–5)
• 2014: Semi-finals (lost to Peter Wright 2–6)
• 2015: First round (lost to Darren Webster 1–3)
• 2016: First round (lost to Ricky Evans 2–3)
• 2017: Second round (lost to Darren Webster 0–4)
• 2018: Second round (lost to Darren Webster 1–4)
• 2019: Second round (lost to Ryan Joyce 0–3)
• 2020: Fourth round (lost to Gerwyn Price 2–4)
• 2021: Third round (lost to Krzysztof Ratajski 0–4)
• 2022: Second round (lost to Martijn Kleermaker 1–3)
• 2023: Second round (lost to José de Sousa 2–3)
• 2024: Second round (lost to Gary Anderson 0–3)

Career finals

BDO major finals: 1 (1 runner-up)

Outcome	No.	Year	Championship	Opponent in the final	Score
Runner-up	1.	2008	World Darts Championship	Mark Webster	5–7 (s)

PDC major finals: 7 (1 title, 6 runners-up)

Outcome	No.	Year	Championship	Opponent in the final	Score
Runner-up	1.	2010	World Darts Championship	Taylor, PhilPhil Taylor	3–7 (s)
Runner-up	2.	2012	Premier League	Taylor, PhilPhil Taylor	7–10 (l)
Winner	1.	2012	European Championship	Newton, WesWes Newton	11–5 (l)
Runner-up	3.	2012	Championship League	Taylor, PhilPhil Taylor	4–6 (l)
Runner-up	4.	2013	European Championship	Lewis, AdrianAdrian Lewis	6–11 (l)
Runner-up	5.	2017	World Grand Prix	Gurney, DarylDaryl Gurney	4–5 (s)
Runner-up	6.	2018	European Championship	James Wade	8–11 (l)

PDC world series finals: 1 (1 runner-up)

Outcome	No.	Year	Championship	Opponent in the final	Score
Runner-up	1.	2014	Singapore Darts Masters	Michael van Gerwen	8-11 (l)

PDC team finals: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)

Outcome	'No.	ear	Championship	Team	Teammate	Opponents in the final	Score
Runner-up	1.	2012	World Cup of Darts	Australia	Paul Nicholson	England – Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis	3–4 (m)
Winner	2.	2022	World Cup of Darts	Australia	Damon Heta	Wales – Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton	3–1 (m)

Career statistics

Performance timeline

PDC European Tour

Nine-dart finishes

Simon Whitlock televised nine-dart finishes

Date	Opponent	Tournament	Method	Prize
17 May 2012	Andy Hamilton	Premier League Darts	3 x T20; 3 x T20; T20, T15, D18	Unknown

High averages

Simon Whitlock televised high averages

Average	Date	Opponent	Tournament	Stage	Score
108.86	12 November 2018	Gerwyn Price	2018 Grand Slam of Darts	Group stage	5-4 (l)

See also

• List of darts players who have switched organisation