ONLY Michael van Gerwen, the world’s best player, has managed it so far in 2016.
But Northwich thrower Stuart Kellett was a wire’s width away from landing a second nine-dart finish of the year during a first-round encounter at the German Darts Masters on Saturday.
After throwing eight perfect darts, the 34-year-old narrowly missed double 12 to complete a perfect leg.
ON THE WIRE! Stuart Kellett so close to the nine-darter as he wires D12. #GDM2016 https://t.co/eDuRNPhIgG
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 26, 2016
He hit it on his next attempt, only to exit the competition later following a 6-1 reverse against former world championship finalist Kevin Painter.
The Cheshire regular landed two maximums, and recorded a three-dart average of 94.52, only to run into an opponent in fine form at a packed Ballhausforum in Munich.
Indeed Painter’s average, just short of 102, is the best at the three-day tournament so far.
His reward is to meet 16th seed Justin Pipe at the next stage on Sunday.
Kellett has celebrated an exemplary leg already this month during a 6-5 win against Steve Hine during a UK qualifier for the Gibraltar Darts Trophy.
He made it to the last 16 on his previous visit to Munich three years ago.
Gutted I lost but the legend that is @OfficialKP180 played brill. So close to another 9 so taking the positives. Another great German crowd
— Stuart Kellett (@StuKellett) March 26, 2016
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