Gary Stone

Gary Stone (born 19 June 1981) is a Scottish professional darts player who currently plays in the World Darts Federation tournaments.

Gary Stone
Personal information
NicknameStoney
Born (1981-06-19) 19 June 1981
Bellshill, Scotland
Home townLarkhall
Darts information
Playing darts since1997
Darts21 Gram Unicorn Neon
LateralityRight-handed
Walk-on musicFreedom by QFX
Organisation (see split in darts)
BDO2009–2014, 2018–2020
PDC2014–2018
WDF2018–
Current world ranking(WDF) 41 25 (13 December 2020)[1]
BDO majors – best performances
World Ch'shipLast 16: 2012
World MastersLast 16: 2018, 2019
PDC premier events – best performances
UK OpenLast 96: 2013, 2016
Other tournament wins
WDF Europe Cup Singles 2012
WDF World Cup Team 2013

Career

BDO

Stone began his darts career by playing darts in The Village Tavern in his hometown of Larkhall- reaching the semi final of the weekly tournament before being eliminated by eventual winner and local darts protégé Darren Cross. The following week, Stone reached the final only to, once again, be beaten by "The Crucifying Cross". This was Stone's first prize in darts and he received 4 free credits for the jukebox as his prize.

His performances were spotted by local promoter Dave "Clubber" Lang who recommended Stone to the BDO tour's management who beat off competition from rival darts promotions in St Tam's and Netties to sign him to play darts professionally on the tour.

Stone qualified for the 2012 BDO World Championship and got to the last 16 defeating Ron Meulenkamp 3–0 but lost 4–0 to Martin Adams in the last 16.[2] He won the WDF Europe Cup, beating reigning world champion Christian Kist in the final. Stone has qualified for the 2013 BDO World Championship and lost 3–1 to Steve Douglas in the first round.[3]

Stone was part of the Scotland team that won gold in the men's team event at the WDF World Cup in 2013 alongside teammates Ross Montgomery, Craig Baxter and Alan Soutar. Scotland defeated America 9–7 in the team final. Stone also helped Scotland win silver in the overall competition.[4]

PDC

Stone entered the PDC Q School in January 2014, and secured a tour card on the third day with a 5–2 win over Steve Grubb in the final round.[5] He made his debut in the European Tour at the European Darts Open in July, losing 6–4 to Ryan de Vreede in the first round.[6] He also reached the last 32 of two Players Championship events during the season.[7]

He qualified for the 2015 German Darts Masters and overcame Rowby-John Rodriguez 6–4, before losing 6–2 to Michael van Gerwen.[8] Stone also reached the second round of the Dutch Darts Masters by beating Dean Winstanley 6–4 with an average of almost 100, but then narrowly lost 6–5 to Steve Beaton.[9] His tour card expired at the end of 2015 and with Stone ranked 100th on the Order of Merit he needed to enter Q School.[10] A single last 16 showing over the four days was not enough for Stone to win his place back.[11] A trio of last 64 defeats saw him qualify for the 2016 UK Open, where he beat Johnny Haines 6–5, before losing 6–2 to Jamie Caven in the second round.[12] Stone played in the majority of Challenge Tour events, with two last 16 defeats being his best runs.[13]

World Championship results

BDO

References
  1. "WDF Men's Rankings Table". WDF. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  2. "2012 BDO World Championship Results". Darts Database. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  3. "2013 BDO World Championship Results". Darts Database. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  4. "Ross 'The Boss' Montgomery is on top of the world after winning darts team event in Canada". Daily Record. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  5. "2014 PDC Qualifying School Day Three". PDC. Archived from the original on 19 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  6. "European Darts Open First Round". PDC. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  7. "Gary Stone 2014". Darts Database. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  8. "2015 PDC German Darts Masters Results". Darts Database. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  9. "Dutch Darts Masters Day One". PDC. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  10. "Order of Merit on 4 January 2016". PDC. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  11. "2016 PDC Qualifying School Day Four". PDC. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  12. "2016 Coral UK Open Day One". PDC. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  13. "Gary Stone 2016". Darts Database. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
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