Woodhouse beats Joyce to capture maiden European Tour title in Kiel

Woodhouse poses with the Baltic Sea Darts Open trophy
Woodhouse poses with the Baltic Sea Darts Open trophyPaul Targyik / PDC Europe

Luke Woodhouse claimed the first European Tour title of his career with an 8-4 victory over Ryan Joyce in the final of the Baltic Sea Darts Open in Kiel.

The triumph arrived less than a fortnight after Woodhouse secured his first senior PDC ranking title, continuing a remarkable run of form that has transformed his season.

Woodhouse was in control for much of the final, racing into a 3-0 lead before Joyce reduced the deficit. The pair traded legs as the match settled, but 'Woody' pulled away in the closing stages, sealing victory with a 160 checkout.

“It’s like buses. You wait for one for ages, then two come along at once,” Woodhouse said after collecting the trophy.

“That was such a tough game. I don’t think me and Ryan played our best darts, but I will take it 100 per cent.

“I felt like this was a good chance for both of us and I didn’t want to let it pass me by, so I tried to be ultra-focused and luckily today I came out on top.”

The 37-year-old had enjoyed an impressive run through the field, beating an improved Cameron Menzies in the last 16 before seeing off Jimmy van Schie and Ricky Evans to reach the final.

Woodhouse celebrates
Woodhouse celebratesPaul Targyik / PDC Europe

“I’m really enjoying my darts at the moment, and to win this is unbelievable. It's absolutely massive,” he said.

“I’m hoping I can kick on now. The World Matchplay is just around the corner, so hopefully my confidence can carry into that.”

Joyce was appearing in his first European Tour final since March 2025. The Englishman defeated Martin Schindler and Niko Springer before thrashing Dave Chisnall in the quarter-finals and edging past Damon Heta in a deciding-leg semi.

However, he was unable to recover after Woodhouse's fast start in Kiel's finale. “I tried my best, but it just didn’t happen today,” Joyce said.

“I knew it was going to be a tough final, and Luke was good early on. He’s a very solid player, very dependable, and it’s hard to play against him.”

Woodhouse's victory makes him the eighth different winner on this season's European Tour, which resumes in Bratislava from 19 to 21 June. 

Results

Round three

Jimmy van Schie 6-4 Sebastian Bialecki 

Luke Woodhouse 6-1 Cameron Menzies

Kevin Doets 6-3 Justin Hood

Ricky Evans 6-4 James Wade

Wessel Nijman 6-3 Ryan Searle

Damon Heta 6-5 William O'Connor

Ryan Joyce 6-4 Niko Springer

Dave Chisnall 6-5 Gian van Veen

Quarter-finals

Luke Woodhouse 6-3 Jimmy van Schie

Ricky Evans 6-3 Kevin Doets

Damon Heta 6-2 Wessel Nijman

Ryan Joyce 6-1 Dave Chisnall

Semi-finals

Luke Woodhouse 7-2 Ricky Evans

Ryan Joyce 7-6 Damon Heta

Final

Luke Woodhouse 8-4 Ryan Joyce

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