Paul Lim became the oldest player to win a match at the PDC World Championship as the 71-year-old claimed a stunning victory over Jeffrey de Graaf.
Backed by a partisan crowd at the Alexandra Palace, the Singapore veteran claimed a 3-1 success over the Dutch-born Swede.
He beat a record held by Northern Irishman John MaGowan, who was 67 when he knocked out Chris Mason in the first round of the tournament in December 2008.
“Just to make it here is an achievement. I don’t wish for anyone to miss but when they miss you have to take the opportunity,” Lim told Sky Sports.
Lim could face Luke Humphries in the second round, should the 2024 world champion come through his opening match against Ted Evetts later on Saturday evening.
Lim, who thew the first world championship nine-darter at the BDO event at Lakeside in 1990, beat Humphries when the pair last met at the Ally Pally five years ago.
“He [Humphries] puts so much effort and time into what he is doing, he is a good guy, a gentleman and a great player,” added Lim.
“So I hope on a given day it can happen again [if I play him] but I never give up. He is good but he can be beaten.”
The crowd cheered Lim, who is 72 next month, to the rafters when he won the first set but De Graaf appeared to have the momentum after he levelled the match.
However, Lim got his nose in front after a scrappy third set as De Graaf wilted while the experienced ‘Singapore Slinger’ held his nerve in a tense fourth, sealing victory with an average of 86.52.
Five-time world championship semi-finalist Wayne Mardle said Lim was able to “take his chances” to secure an “incredible” win.
“If you have the desire, the passion but most of all the ability humans can achieve amazing things – and that was amazing,” said Mardle on Sky.
De Graaf was six years old when Lim made his PDC debut 29 years ago.
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