SIMON WHITLOCK ensured his place in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with victory in the Mildura Open on Saturday.
Whitlock's win in the first of two DPA events over the weekend ensures he will finish on top of the 2009 Australian Grand Prix Order of Merit, jumping above Paul Nicholson.
That seals a return to the PDC World Championship in December, having picked up the $1,000 first prize yet again.
He was a 7-4 winner against Daniel Sim in Saturday's final, having failed to drop a leg in wins over Darren Wright, Steve Nichols and Rob Modra in the knockout stage.
Simon edged out Raymond O'Donnell 6-5 in the semis and was also a deciding-leg winner against Tony Crampton in the last eight.
Sunday sees the second of the weekend's events take place, with Whitlock aiming for another double-header win.
Mildura Open (Saturday)
Last 16
Simon Whitlock 4-0 Rob Modra
Steve Nichols 4-1 Terry Thomas
Rob Thompson 4-2 Peter Lukat
Darren Wright 4-3 Tim Gatwood
Phil Bottrell 4-2 Lindsay Wells
Raymond O'Donnell 4-1 Katie Gifford
Tony Crampton 4-3 Craig Bonell
Daniel Sim 4-2 Bill Keogh
Quarter-Finals
Simon Whitlock 5-0 Steve Nichols
Darren Wright 5-4 Rob Thompson
Raymond O'Donnell 5-3 Phil Bottrell
Daniel Sim 5-4 Tony Crampton
Semi-Finals
Simon Whitlock 6-0 Darren Wright
Daniel Sim 6-5 Raymond O'Donnell
Final
Simon Whitlock 7-4 Daniel Sim