Spellman Returns to Winners Circle with DartConnect Challenge Title

Alex Spellman returned to the CDC winner’s circle on Sunday, defeating Doug Boehm 7-1 to claim the DartConnect Challenge title in Oakbrook Terrace.

The fourth seed produced a superb day’s work in the Matchplay-style event, which required players to win by two clear legs before a sudden-death leg was used as the fourth extra leg of any match. Spellman’s victory marked his first CDC Tour title of 2026 and the sixth Main Tour crown of his career, adding to a résumé that also includes two Continental Cup titles and a Cross Border Darts Challenge triumph.

After defeating Ross Snook 6-4 in the quarterfinals, Spellman produced one of the day’s standout results in the semifinals, defeating top seed Adam Sevada 7-4 to book his place in the showpiece. He then saved his most dominant display for the final, sweeping past Boehm 7-1 to cap off a title-winning run and reassert himself among the leading contenders on the Championship Darts Circuit.

Boehm, meanwhile, continued his own return to form, reaching his fourth career CDC final — three Main Events and one Continental Cup, although his maiden CDC title remains just out of reach. After struggling mightily in this same venue during Weekend Four, Boehm enjoyed a far stronger return to Oakbrook Terrace this weekend, reaching the quarterfinals in each of the first two events before advancing to Sunday’s final. His route to Sunday’s final included a 6-4 quarterfinal win over third seed Leonard Gates, before a 7-4 semifinal victory over second seed David Cameron.

Gates did salvage one solid run from the weekend by reaching the quarterfinals, but his early exits in the previous two events proved costly as he ceded the provisional pole position in the race to the World Darts Championship to Fred Krueger.

Canada’s Ross Snook also enjoyed his best CDC run in some time, reaching the quarterfinals before falling to Spellman. It marked Snook’s deepest run in a CDC event since Event Five of the 2025 season, which was also staged in Oakbrook Terrace.

Ohio’s “Crafty Cat”, Tim Craft, impressed as well, reaching the Last 16 on a day highlighted by a six-dart 350 finish and a champagne checkout, taking out 132 with two bullseyes and a double 16. Spellman led the field statistically with a 90.26 average on the day, while his nine 180s tied Snook for the event lead.

Results

Quarterfinals
Adam Sevada (1) 6-1 Jeremiah Millar
Alex Spellman (4) 6-4 Ross Snook
David Cameron (2) 6-4 Kevin Luke
Leonard Gates (3) 4-6 Doug Boehm (6)

Semifinals
Adam Sevada 4-7 Alex Spellman
David Cameron 4-7 Doug Boehm

Final
Alex Spellman 7-1 Doug Boehm