Australian star Kyle Anderson passes away

Kyle Anderson (Photosport NZ)

The Professional Darts Corporation is devastated to hear that Australian star Kyle Anderson has passed away.

The 33-year-old from Perth was a popular figure on the circuit, initially coming through the DartPlayers Australia system to win the 2012 Oceanic Masters.

He made his World Championship debut at the 2012/13 event and landed a nine-darter on the Alexandra Palace stage the following year as he blossomed on the international stage.

Anderson won a PDC Tour Card in 2014, and enjoyed his best spell three years later, winning a Players Championship and then the Auckland Darts Masters on the World Series of Darts circuit in August 2017.

He also achieved a second televised nine-darter, in the semi-finals of the 2017 European Championship, and was joined by brother Beau in competing at the 2013 Sydney Darts Masters and 2014 World Championship.

Anderson had returned to Australia in 2020 at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, and relinquished his PDC Tour Card in January.

"We send our condolences and best wishes to Kyle's family and friends at this terribly sad time, particularly his wife and children," said PDC President Barry Hearn.

"Kyle's achievements in his short-lived career were outstanding, notably his Auckland Darts Masters win, and a fitting reward for the sacrifices he made to follow his dream.

"He was a popular player on the tour and his talent and dedication made him an inspiration to other players around the world."

He competed in a total of seven World Championships, was a quarter-finalist once in seven UK Open appearances and also reached the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the European Championship.

He also represented Australia four times in the PDC World Cup of Darts alongside Simon Whitlock, reaching the 2018 semi-finals.