Golden oldie Gary causing a headache

EXCITING NEW ERA BUT FLYING SCOTSMAN ANDERSON ROLLS BACK THE YEARS

- BY PATRICK AUSTEN-HARDY

GARY ANDERSON proved at this PDC World Championship that it is not all about the new young sensations.

Anderson, 55, is old enough to remember when first prize was a chicken hamper and a “free set of darts”.

His semifinal defeat to Gian van Veen saw him take home £200,000.

When Anderson won his last World Championship in 2016, Luke Littler was eight years old.

As defending champion Littler, 18, and Van Veen, 23, took to the stage for the final at Alexandra Palace last night, it was the youngest showpiece in PDC history.

Had Anderson seen off Van Veen, he would have put himself in line for automatic qualification for this year's Premier League, which starts on February 5.

Not that he would have accepted an automatic spot. He has had to settle for being No.6 in the world but if he teased an interest in returning to the competi-