Andrew Gilding

Andrew Gilding
Personal information
Nickname"Goldfinger"
Born (1970-12-07) 7 December 1970 (age 53)
Earsham, Norfolk, England
Home townBungay, Suffolk, England
Darts information
Playing darts since1990
Darts25 g Cosmo Goldfinger
LateralityRight-handed
Walk-on music"Gold" by Spandau Ballet
Organisation (see split in darts)
BDO2010–2011
PDC2012–
(Tour Card: 2012–2018, 2021-)
Current world ranking20 Increase 1 (17 November 2024)[1]
WDF major events – best performances
World MastersLast 16: 2011
PDC premier events – best performances
World Ch'shipLast 32: 2016, 2017
World MatchplayQuarter Final: 2024
World Grand PrixQuarter Final: 2023
UK OpenWinner (1): 2023
Grand SlamLast 16: 2023
European Ch'shipLast 16: 2024
PC FinalsLast 32: 2014, 2022
MastersLast 24: 2024
World Series FinalsLast 32: 2024
Other tournament wins
Gibraltar Open 2011

Andrew Gilding (born 7 December 1970) is an English professional darts player who plays in events of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). He made his television debut in 2011. He won his maiden televised title at the 2023 UK Open, and became the oldest man to win a major TV title in a debut PDC final appearance.

Career

[edit]

A former butcher and factory worker, Gilding made his television debut at the 2011 UK Open at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton as a pub qualifier. He defeated Brendan Dolan, Matt Clark, Andy Hamilton before losing 9–2 to Mark Hylton in the last 32 earning himself £2,000 in the process.

Gilding's best result of 2012 was getting to the quarter-finals at the UK Open Qualifier 7 at the NIA Community Hall, Birmingham defeating Joe Cullen, Scott Rand, Mark Hylton and Simon Whitlock before losing 6–3 to Kevin Painter.[2][3] He headed into 2013 ranked world number 73.[4] Gilding failed to qualify for the 2013 UK Open as he finished 142nd on the Order of Merit, outside of the top 96 who claimed their places.[5] In October, he reached his first semi-final in a PDC ranking event at the tenth Players Championship of the year. Gilding saw off the likes of Dave Chisnall and 2008 BDO World Championship winner Mark Webster before losing 6–2 to five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld.[6] However, at the end of the year his tour card status expired and Gilding was ranked 78th in the world, outside the top 64 who remain on the tour.[7] He entered Q School in an attempt to regain his place and was successful on the first day by beating Jamie Bain 5–0 in his last match.[8]

2014

[edit]

Gilding reached his first career PDC final at the second UK Open Qualifier, beating the likes of Raymond van Barneveld, James Wade and Phil Taylor to face reigning BDO World Champion Stephen Bunting. He lost 6–5 in a thrilling final but earned £5,000 which saw him qualify for the UK Open.[9] He entered the tournament in the third round and received a bye as Wes Newton withdrew, before being defeated 9–4 by Kevin Painter.[10] He reached his second PDC final just a month later at the first Players Championship in Barnsley. He defeated Jamie Caven, Jelle Klaasen, Michael Smith, Darren Webster and James Wade before he lost 6–5 to Gary Anderson despite averaging a superb 107.70.[11]

Gilding's performances on the Pro Tour during 2014 saw him make his debut at the World Matchplay, where he was whitewashed 10–0 by Adrian Lewis.[12] He also played in the World Grand Prix for the first time and beat Darren Webster 2–0 (sets) in the first round.[13] Gilding faced 11-time winner of the event Phil Taylor in the next round and won the first set, but went on to be defeated 3–1.[14] At the Players Championship Finals he was beaten 6–3 by Mervyn King in the first round.[15]

2015

[edit]

Gilding earned £25,000 on the Pro Tour Order of Merit during 2014 to be the highest non-qualified player for the 2015 World Championship.[16] He made his debut in the event against Robert Thornton and could only win two legs during the match in a 3–0 loss.[17] His good year saw him start 2015 ranked world number 38, an increase of 40 places from 12 month ago.[18] A semi-final defeat in the fourth qualifier saw Gilding enter the UK Open at the third round stage and he whitewashed Kevin Painter 9–0.[19] Further victories over Jelle Klaasen (9–5) and James Wade (9–6) followed as he reached the quarter-finals of a major event for the first time in his career.[20] Gilding faced Austria's Mensur Suljović and beat him 10–8 to set up a semi-final with world number one Michael van Gerwen.[21] Gilding played the match of his career to date as he averaged 108.37, hit 10 180s and a 10 darter, but it wasn't quite enough to progress to the final as his tournament ended with a 10–8 loss. The £17,000 in prize money he earned saw him achieve his year's goal of breaking into the top 32 on the Order of Merit.[22]

Gilding won his first match at the World Matchplay by holding on from 7–2 ahead of Mervyn King to triumph 10–8.[23] He lost 13–7 to Peter Wright in the second round.[24] Gilding could only win one leg in the first round of the World Grand Prix during a 2–0 set defeat against Simon Whitlock.[25]

2016

[edit]

After whitewashing Gerwyn Price 3–0 in the first round of the 2016 World Championship, Gilding lost 4–0 to Adrian Lewis picking up just two legs in the process.[26] He was beaten 6–5 by Ryan de Vreede in the second round of the UK Open.[27] Gilding reached the semi-finals of the 10th Players Championship which included a 6–0 thrashing of Jelle Klaasen, but he suffered a 6–0 loss to Dave Chisnall.[28] He qualified for the Players Championship Finals and was edged out 6–5 by Vincent van der Voort.[29]

2017

[edit]

Gilding was 2–0 down in sets to John Henderson in the opening round of the 2017 World Championship, but rallied to draw level at 2–2. He survived one match dart from Henderson in the deciding set and it would go to a sudden-death leg. Gilding won the bull to throw first and took out a 75 finish to progress.[30] He lost all four sets by three legs to one in the second round against reigning champion Gary Anderson.[31]

2018

[edit]

Gilding missed out on 2018 PDC World Darts Championship and that sent him down the rankings. He was seeded to the second round of 2018 UK Open, but was not able to win a single leg against Gabriel Clemens, who just gained his Tour card. Throughout the year, Gilding struggled on Players Championship tournaments and he was falling out of top 64. He qualified for two European Tour events – PDC German Darts Championship (and made it to the second round) and PDC European Darts Trophy (where he lost in the first round).

In November he qualified for 2018 Grand Slam of Darts, where he finished last in his round robin group, after losing to Gerwyn Price and Simon Whitlock, his only win came in the last match against Glen Durrant.

After failing to qualify for the last year's tournament, Gilding secured his sport on 2018 Players Championship Finals as 43rd seed. Again he was eliminated by Gabriel Clemens in the first round.

Despite playing on two major events at the end of the year, Gilding did not qualify for 2019 PDC World Darts Championship, fell out of top 64 and lost his Tour card.

2019

[edit]

Gilding went immediately to UK Q-school trying to get his Tour card back. He made it to last 16 on the third day, but failed in other three tournaments and did not retain the card.

He started well on PDC Challenge Tour and after making it to quarterfinals and semifinals he was placed high in the rankings of this tour. That gave him a chance to be a substitute for the first two tournaments of PDPA Players Championship. Gilding made an appearance there and placed in last 16 in the first tournament.

Gilding used his chance in European tour qualifications and qualified for three events – PDC German Darts Championship, PDC Austrian Darts Open and PDC Czech Open (where placed in last 16). Despite playing on many PDPA Players Championship tournaments throughout the year and three European Tour events, he was not able to break through into top 64 of PDC Order of Merit nor top 2 of Challenge Tour.

2020

[edit]

Gilding was not successful in UK Q-school for the second time, his best result was last 32 on the second day.

He again started well on PDC Challenge Tour, playing the final on the second tournament. This gave him another chance on PDPA Players Championship and also on PDC Summer Series.

2021

[edit]

On his third attempt to regain the Tour card, Gilding was successful via Q-school Order of Merit. He placed 2nd overall after consistent results throughout all four days of Final Stage, into which he received automatic spot after finishing in the Top 16 of the 2020 PDC Challenge Tour Order of Merit.[32] Gilding featured in the UK Open for the first time since 2018, and was eliminated in the 3rd round.

2022

[edit]

Andrew Gilding reached the final of the 2022 Belgian Darts Open losing to Dave Chisnall 6–8 in legs. This marked a serious upturn of form for Gilding.

2023

[edit]

At the 2023 UK Open, Gilding reached a first televised final and won his first PDC major title, surviving a match dart to defeat Michael van Gerwen 11–10.[33] The £110,000 received in prize money saw him rise up to 25th in the world having been 41st prior to the weekend.

At the 2023 World Grand Prix, Gilding reached the quarter-finals for the first time. He won his first two games before losing to Michael Smith 3–0.

2024

[edit]

At the 2024 UK Open Gilding defeated Josh Payne 10–7 in the fourth round but lost 10–1 to Peter Wright in the fifth round.

World Championship results

[edit]

PDC

[edit]

Performance timeline

[edit]
Tournament 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
PDC Ranked televised events
World Championship DNQ 1R 2R 2R DNQ 2R 2R
Masters DNQ 1R
UK Open 4R 2R DNQ 4R SF 2R 3R 2R DNQ 3R 2R W 5R
World Matchplay DNQ 1R 2R DNQ 1R 1R QF
World Grand Prix DNQ 2R 1R DNQ 1R QF DNQ
European Championship DNQ 1R 1R 2R
Grand Slam of Darts DNQ RR DNQ 2R DNQ
Players Championship Finals DNQ 1R DNQ 1R DNQ 1R DNQ 2R 1R
PDC Non-ranked televised events
World Series of Darts Finals NH DNQ 1R
WDF Ranked televised events
World Masters 6R No longer a BDO Member
Career statistics
Year-end ranking (PDC) - 107 80 38 25 33 57 78 123 146 122 41 18

PDC European Tour

Season 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
2012 ADO
DNQ
GDC
DNQ
EDO
DNQ
GDM
1R
DDM
DNQ
2013 UKM
DNQ
EDT
DNQ
EDO
DNQ
ADO
DNQ
GDT
DNP
GDC
DNQ
GDM
DNQ
DDM
1R
2014 GDC
DNQ
DDM
DNQ
GDM
3R
ADO
2R
GDT
DNQ
EDO
DNQ
EDG
2R
EDT
2R
2015 GDC
DNQ
GDT
1R
GDM
3R
DDM
DNQ
IDO
DNQ
EDO
1R
EDT
DNQ
EDM
DNQ
EDG
DNQ
2016 DDM
DNQ
GDM
1R
GDT
DNQ
EDM
1R
ADO
DNQ
EDO
DNQ
IDO
DNQ
EDT
DNQ
EDG
DNQ
GDC
DNQ
2017 GDC
DNQ
GDM
1R
GDO
DNQ
EDG
DNQ
GDT
DNQ
EDM
DNQ
ADO
DNQ
EDO
DNQ
DDM
DNQ
GDG
1R
IDO
DNQ
EDT
DNQ
2018 EDO
DNQ
GDG
DNQ
GDO
DNQ
ADO
DNQ
EDG
DNQ
DDM
DNP
GDT
DNQ
DDO
DNQ
EDM
DNQ
GDC
2R
DDC
DNQ
IDO
DNQ
EDT
1R
2019 EDO
DNQ
GDC
2R
GDG
DNQ
GDO
DNQ
ADO
1R
EDG
DNP
DDM
DNQ
DDO
DNQ
CDO
3R
ADC
DNQ
EDM
DNQ
IDO
DNQ
GDT
DNP
2020 Did not play
2021 HDT
DNQ
GDT
DNQ
2022 IDO
DNQ
GDC
DNQ
GDG
DNQ
ADO
DNQ
EDO
2R
CDO
DNQ
EDG
3R
DDC
SF
EDM
DNQ
HDT
DNQ
GDO
DNQ
BDO
F
GDT
DNQ
2023 BSD
DNQ
EDO
DNQ
IDO
2R
GDG
QF
ADO
3R
DDC
3R
BDO
2R
CDO
3R
EDG
2R
EDM
2R
GDO
QF
HDT
1R
GDC
DNQ
2024 BDO
1R
GDG
1R
IDO
1R
EDG
1R
ADO
2R
BSD
3R
DDC
2R
EDO
1R
GDC
3R
FDT
2R
HDT
2R
SDT
2R
CDO
DNQ

PDC Players Championships

Season 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
2012 ALI
DNP
ALI
DNP
REA
1R
REA
2R
CRA
3R
CRA
1R
BIR
3R
BIR
1R
CRA
2R
CRA
3R
BAR
2R
BAR
1R
DUB
2R
DUB
1R
KIL
2R
KIL
3R
CRA
1R
CRA
2R
BAR
4R
BAR
1R
2013 WIG
2R
WIG
1R
WIG
DNP
WIG
DNP
CRA
1R
CRA
1R
BAR
2R
BAR
1R
DUB
1R
DUB
SF
KIL
2R
KIL
1R
WIG
1R
WIG
QF
BAR
2R
BAR
3R
2014 BAR
F
BAR
1R
CRA
1R
CRA
2R
WIG
1R
WIG
4R
WIG
1R
WIG
QF
CRA
1R
CRA
4R
COV
1R
COV
1R
CRA
1R
CRA
2R
DUB
QF
DUB
3R
CRA
1R
CRA
4R
COV
3R
COV
2R
2015 BAR
1R
BAR
SF
BAR
3R
BAR
3R
BAR
2R
COV
2R
COV
1R
COV
2R
CRA
2R
CRA
QF
BAR
2R
BAR
1R
WIG
SF
WIG
1R
BAR
3R
BAR
2R
DUB
2R
DUB
1R
COV
3R
COV
2R
2016 BAR
1R
BAR
QF
BAR
3R
BAR
2R
BAR
3R
BAR
3R
BAR
1R
COV
2R
COV
4R
BAR
SF
BAR
1R
BAR
1R
BAR
3R
BAR
1R
BAR
3R
BAR
2R
DUB
3R
DUB
1R
BAR
1R
BAR
3R
2017 BAR
1R
BAR
1R
BAR
1R
BAR
2R
MIL
3R
MIL
1R
BAR
DNP
BAR
DNP
WIG
4R
WIG
2R
MIL
2R
MIL
1R
WIG
2R
WIG
1R
BAR
2R
BAR
1R
BAR
2R
BAR
1R
DUB
QF
DUB
2R
BAR
1R
BAR
1R
2018 BAR
2R
BAR
DNP
BAR
2R
BAR
3R
MIL
1R
MIL
1R
BAR
1R
BAR
3R
WIG
1R
WIG
2R
MIL
DNP
MIL
2R
WIG
1R
WIG
1R
BAR
1R
BAR
4R
BAR
4R
BAR
2R
DUB
SF
DUB
4R
BAR
3R
BAR
2R
2019
[nb 1]
WIG
4R
WIG
1R
WIG
DNP
WIG
DNP
BAR
DNP
BAR
DNP
WIG
DNP
WIG
DNP
BAR
DNP
BAR
DNP
BAR
DNP
BAR
DNP
BAR
DNP
BAR
DNP
BAR
1R
BAR
1R
WIG
1R
WIG
1R
BAR
2R
BAR
1R
HIL
2R
HIL
1R
BAR
2R
BAR
1R
BAR
DNP
BAR
DNP
DUB
1R
DUB
2R
BAR
1R
BAR
2R
2020
[nb 1]
BAR
DNP
BAR
DNP
WIG
DNP
WIG
3R
WIG
1R
WIG
DNP
BAR
3R
BAR
1R
MIL
1R
MIL
1R
MIL
3R
MIL
2R
MIL
1R
NIE
2R
NIE
1R
NIE
1R
NIE
2R
NIE
2R
COV
DNP
COV
DNP
COV
DNP
COV
DNP
COV
DNP
2021 BOL
1R
BOL
1R
BOL
1R
BOL
1R
MIL
1R
MIL
2R
MIL
1R
MIL
2R
NIE
2R
NIE
1R
NIE
1R
NIE
1R
MIL
1R
MIL
2R
MIL
2R
MIL
2R
COV
1R
COV
1R
COV
1R
COV
1R
BAR
2R
BAR
4R
BAR
1R
BAR
2R
BAR
1R
BAR
1R
BAR
3R
BAR
1R
BAR
1R
BAR
2R
2022 BAR
1R
BAR
2R
WIG
1R
WIG
2R
BAR
3R
BAR
3R
NIE
DNP
NIE
DNP
BAR
F
BAR
1R
BAR
2R
BAR
2R
BAR
3R
WIG
4R
WIG
2R
NIE
QF
NIE
1R
BAR
QF
BAR
F
BAR
4R
BAR
2R
BAR
2R
BAR
4R
BAR
1R
BAR
2R
BAR
1R
BAR
1R
BAR
1R
BAR
2R
BAR
4R
2023 BAR
1R
BAR
3R
BAR
QF
BAR
3R
BAR
1R
BAR
2R
HIL
2R
HIL
1R
WIG
1R
WIG
4R
LEI
2R
LEI
SF
HIL
2R
HIL
QF
LEI
3R
LEI
QF
HIL
QF
HIL
4R
BAR
4R
BAR
1R
BAR
3R
BAR
3R
BAR
2R
BAR
2R
BAR
2R
BAR
4R
BAR
4R
BAR
3R
BAR
2R
BAR
1R
2024 WIG
3R
WIG
2R
LEI
2R
LEI
1R
HIL
1R
HIL
2R
LEI
2R
LEI
QF
HIL
4R
HIL
3R
HIL
2R
HIL
1R
MIL
QF
MIL
1R
MIL
3R
MIL
1R
MIL
2R
MIL
3R
MIL
1R
WIG
3R
WIG
2R
LEI
1R
LEI
3R
WIG
3R
WIG
SF
WIG
1R
WIG
3R
WIG
3R
LEI
3R
LEI
2R
  1. ^ a b Not a Tour card holder
Performance Table Legend
W Won the tournament F Finalist SF Semifinalist QF Quarterfinalist #R
RR
Prel.
Lost in # round
Round-robin
Preliminary round
DQ Disqualified
DNQ Did not qualify DNP Did not participate WD Withdrew NH Tournament not held NYF Not yet founded

PDC Major finals: 1 (1 title)

[edit]
Legend
UK Open (1–0)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score[N 1] Ref.
Winner 1. 2023 UK Open Netherlands Michael van Gerwen 11–10 (l)
  1. ^ (l) = score in legs, (s) = score in sets.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "PDC Order of Merit". PDPA. 17 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Andrew Gilding 2012". Darts Database. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
  3. ^ "2012 UK Open Qualifier Results". Darts Database. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
  4. ^ "Order of Merit on 1 January 2013". PDC. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  5. ^ "Van Gerwen's Five Alive With Whitewash!". PDC. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  6. ^ "Barney Claims Dublin ProTour Title". PDC. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  7. ^ "Order of Merit on 2 January 2014". PDC. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  8. ^ "2014 PDC Qualifying School Day One". PDC. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  9. ^ "Bunting Wins First Pro Tour Title". PDC. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  10. ^ "Coral UK Open – Saturday Afternoon". PDC. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  11. ^ "Anderson Wins Third Title Of The Year". PDC. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  12. ^ "BetVictor World Matchplay Night Three". PDC. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  13. ^ "partypoker.com WGP Day One". PDC. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  14. ^ "partypoker.com WGP Day Three". PDC. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  15. ^ "Cash Converters PCF Day One". PDC. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  16. ^ "2014 PDC World Championship Qualifiers". Darts Database. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  17. ^ "William Hill World Championship Day Three". PDC. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  18. ^ "Order of Merit on 5 January 2015". PDC. Archived from the original on 8 January 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  19. ^ "Coral UK Open Third Round". PDC. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  20. ^ "Coral UK Open Fifth Round". PDC. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  21. ^ "Coral UK Open Quarter-Finals". PDC. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  22. ^ "Mighty Mike's Minehead Glory". PDC. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  23. ^ "BetVictor World Matchplay Day Two". PDC. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  24. ^ "2015 World Matchplay Results". Darts Database. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  25. ^ "2015 World Grand Prix Results". Darts Database. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  26. ^ "William Hill World Championship Day Ten". PDC. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  27. ^ "2016 Coral UK Open Day One". PDC. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  28. ^ "Chisnall Wins Players Championship Ten". PDC. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  29. ^ "2016 Players Championship Finals Results". Darts Database. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  30. ^ "William Hill World Championship Day Three". PDC. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  31. ^ "William Hill World Championship Day Nine". PDC. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  32. ^ "Mitchell, Baggish, Gilding and Shepherd among UK Q-School Tour Card winners". 17 February 2021.
  33. ^ Gorton, Josh (5 March 2023). "Gilding stuns Van Gerwen to clinch Cazoo UK Open glory". www.pdc.tv. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
[edit]