Beaton makes UK Open finals with three events to spare

On the Friday, the former world champion defeated Robert Parker, William O’Connor, Ian White and Mark Barilli before losing 6-5 to Peter Wright.

On the Saturday, he overcame Arron Monk, James Hubbard, Ben Ward, Nick Fullwell and Kim Huybrechts before recent convert from the BDO Stephen Bunting denied him a place in the final.

Bunting went on to beat Andrew Gilding in a dramatic last leg to claim his first pro title.

Beaton lost 6-5 to Adrian Lewis in the last 16 on the Sunday, but has already qualified for the UK Open finals at Butlins, Minehead, next month with three more UK Open events still to play.

Beaton, who heads off to Veldhoven in the Netherlands this weekend for the second European Tour of the year, said: “I am very happy with the consistency of my game at the moment and I am enjoying my darts.”

There were contrasting fortunes for Nigel Heydon, however, with The Undertaker suffering three first-round defeats.