Chisnall 4–0, and Kim Huybrechts 5–2, to reach the semi-finals for the second time in his career. He played Simon Whitlock and found himself 3–5 down and on the brink of elimination before he produced a super fightback, which included four ton-plus finishes, to prevail 6–5. Hamilton was consistently outscored by the Australian, but his finishing proved to be crucial as he hit 58% of his doubles to secure his first World final and second major TV final. The 200–1 outsider at the start of the tournament could not complete a remarkable victory and clinch the title, however, as he valiantly fought hard throughout but could never get ahead of his opponent, Adrian Lewis, who won the match 7–3. The £100,000 Hamilton picked up for his runner-up spot is the biggest of his career to date and he vowed to go one better in the 2013 tournament. He rose to world number 7 after the event. His performance at the World Championship helped him gain a wildcard place into the 2012 Premier League Darts, where he made his first appearance. On the first night he beat James Wade 8–5, but then did not win another game until the eighth fixture of the campaign which included three successive defeats. However, Hamilton turned his form around and went into the last round of matches knowing a win coupled with results going his way would see him into the play-offs. Hamilton thrashed fellow debutant Kevin Painter 8–1 and did qualify for the play-offs by finishing 3rd in the league. He was unbeaten in the last five matches of the season and played Whitlock in the semi-finals, against whom he drew 7–7 and then beat 8–4 during the league stage. Hamilton led the match 4–1, with Whitlock's solitary leg being a nine-darter, but went on to lose 6–8. Hamilton then lost 5–9 in the last 32 of the UK Open to Raymond van Barneveld. He reached the final of the tenth Players Championship of the year and held a 5–3 lead over his opponent Colin Lloyd, before losing 5–6. At the World Matchplay he beat Dolan and Mark Webster, but was then defeated 11–16 in the quarter-finals by Phil Taylor. Hamilton won through to his second Players Championship final of the year at the 12th event in September, but lost 4–6 to Simon Whitlock. He then beat Webster and Steve Beaton to make the