Leighton Bennett has earned a PDC Tour Card for the first time after winning the UK Q-School event on day three.
The teenager has been in the darting spotlight since the age of 12, when he sensationally won the Cambridge Open, and he lifted the BDO World Youth Championship trophy in 2019.
Now 18 years of age, Bennett has booked his spot on the PDC Tour after storming to victory on Saturday, dropping just 18 legs across his seven matches.
Bennett, who was not taken the distance in any encounter, trailed Thomas Cromwell 3-2 in the final before reeling off the next four legs to prevail by a 6-4 scoreline.
BENNETT SEALS THE DEAL! 💪
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 13, 2024
Leighton Bennett will become the latest teenage star to feature on the PDC ProTour!
The 18-year-old defeats Thomas Cromwell 6-3 in Saturday's Day Three Final at UK Q School to secure his place on the professional circuit... pic.twitter.com/GoHnVsdhWV
Meanwhile, Baetens - the WDF world champion - finally lived up to his billing by winning the European event, starting and finishing his campaign with wins over players who competed at the recent PDC World Championship.
The Belgian whitewashed Jeffrey de Graaf in his opening contest, while he held his nerve to overcome Radek Szaganski in a deciding leg in the final.
Baetens will now look to convert his performances from the WDF against the elite of the PDC when the Pro Tour events get underway over the coming weeks.