By:
Paul Kelly
World Darts Championship Round 1 statistics show that William O’Connor will defeat Michael van Gerwen in their second round clash on Tuesday night.
O’Connor has recorded the highest average of the Worlds so far at Ally Pally, and looks primed to pull off a major upset against ‘MVG’ next.
Stats Show William O’Connor Will Beat Michael van Gerwen
William O’Connor is the only Irishman left in the World Darts Championship with both Keane Barry and Steve Lennon eliminated.
Daryl Gurney and Josh Rock remain in the tournament as two of Northern Ireland’s representatives, but ‘The Magpie’ is the only player representing Ireland left at Ally Pally.
Prior to throwing a dart at the 2026 World Darts Championship, it was clear to see after the draw bracket was complete that O’Connor was on a collision course with Michael van Gerwen.
That match is upon us next, with both men doing their job in Round 1 to set up an intriguing battle in the second round on Tuesday night in the evening session at Ally Pally.
World Darts Championship first round highest averages… 📈
🇮🇪 William O’Connor 102.36
🏴 Luke Littler 101.54
🇳🇱 Wessel Nijman 100.91
🏴 Justin Hood 99.59
🏴 Joe Cullen 99.33
🏴 Scott Williams 99.25
🇩🇪 Martin Schindler 99.14
🇳🇱 Gian van Veen 98.91— Ben Hudd (@bhdarts) December 20, 2025
What makes the battle between the Limerick man and ‘MVG’ all the more interesting is how the pair both played in their respective first round matches.
O’Connor swept Poland’s Krzysztof Kciuk aside with ease, posting a tournament highest 102.36 average in the process en route to an emphatic 3-0 win.
The Dutchman meanwhile defeated Japan’s Mitsuhiko Tatsunami 3-1, losing the first set whilst averaging over 10 points less than O’Connor with just a 90.82 average.
Of course, winning the match is the only real stat that matters. However, if the first round stats are anything to go by and a gauge of how both players will perform in Round 2, then William O’Connor will defeat three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.
William O'Connor delivers the best average of the tournament so far to set up a clash with Michael van Gerwen 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/sxFC2yJA2z
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 19, 2025
William O’Connor Beats Michael van Gerwen In Every Key Stat From Round 1 Of World Darts Championship
Not only did William O’Connor average 11.54 points more than Michael van Gerwen in Round 1 of the 2026 World Darts Championship, but he also dominated almost every other key statistic too.
Keane Barry was Ireland’s strongest hope prior to the first dart being thrown at the Alexandra Palace, but that mantle now belongs to the Limerick man as he embarks on his Tuesday night meeting with the ‘Green machine’.
As well as boasting a 102.36 average in Round 1, O’Connor didn’t drop a set. In fact, he lost just two legs in total, winning nine in a routine 3-0 victory.
‘The Magpie’ also hit seven 180s whilst hitting nine of 17 darts at double, meaning his checkout percentage was 52.94%.
"Bring 'em on, I'm ready for 'em" 💪
William O'Connor is ready to face MVG next 👀 pic.twitter.com/gomRP4ZkhN
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 19, 2025
Compare those key stats to van Gerwen, who averaged just 90.82, his two less 180s with five, lost eight legs and had just a 29.41% checkout rate (10/34).
The Dutchman’s highest checkout was also just 65, meanwhile the Irishman fired in a 167 finish on the bullseye in yet another stat in O’Connor’s favour.
Although these stats might not matter when the pair come head to head on Tuesday night, they certainly show that if O’Connor plays like he did in the first round, he is in with a huge chance of defeating van Gerwen and booking his place in the last 32 of the 2026 World Darts Championship.
William O’Connor Stats From World Darts Championship Round 1
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Scoreline | WIN 3-0 |
| Average | 102.36 |
| 180s | 7 |
| 140+ | 8 |
| 100+ | 9 |
| Checkout % | 52.94 (9/17) |
| Highest C/O | 167 |
| Legs won/lost | 9-2 |
Michael van Gerwen Stats From World Darts Championship Round 1
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Scoreline | WIN 3-1 |
| Average | 90.82 |
| 180s | 5 |
| 140+ | 12 |
| 100+ | 17 |
| Checkout % | 29.41 (10/34) |
| Highest C/O | 65 |
| Legs won/lost | 10-8 |
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