British darts star Owen Bates has been told he won’t be able to use his blue nickname at the World Championships in December.
The Professional Darts Corporation [PDC] have ruled against the 20-year-old using his rather amusing moniker after he qualified for the championships in dramatic fashion.
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Bates qualified on the last day and last game of the Challenge Tour, beating Mike Warburton 5-4 after going 4-1 down.
His dramatic comeback earned the youngster even more press attention than his nickname already had.
Bates qualified for the Christmas tournament with ‘The Master’ on the back of his shirt, which when combined with his first name makes the rather amusing ‘Master Bates’.
Alexandra Palace is already a raucous crowd, who will have undoubtedly been cheering like wild when the name was called out, but now the PDC have confirmed it won’t be used going forward.
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Bates responded to the news on social media by writing: “Any suggestions on a new nickname?!”
He also added: “Get my darts before it’s too late, these will be the last ever ‘The Master’ darts made!”
There’s expected to be a run on the special edition ‘Owen The Master Bates’ darts, with signed versions now selling for £54.95 while the youngster seeks a new nickname.
Despite making waves for his nickname rather than his ability, there’s plenty to be excited about from Bates.
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At the PDC Challenge Tour 19 in Milton Keynes, The Master emerged victorious and later signed for a deal with darts manufacturer Loxley Darts.
He regularly trains with 2021 Players Championship Finals runner-up Ryan Searle while and bested Warburton in the Challenge Tour 24 semi-final on Monday.
That has set him up on the PDC Tour Card for 2024/25 as a result ahead of what promises to be a blossoming career.