now not won a ranking event since 2007. Hamilton hit six out of six doubles against Huybrechts in the first round of the World Grand Prix in a 2–0 set win and then beat Painter 3–1 to ensure he reached at least the quarter-final stage of a major for the ninth consecutive tournament. He played Justin Pipe and could only average 75.88 in the double start event and lost 3–1. Hamilton qualified from Group 2 of the Championship League by defeating van Gerwen 6–5 to advance to the Winners Group where he could only win two of his seven games to finish seventh in the table. Hamilton survived a record 18 missed match darts from Part in the first round of the Players Championship Finals as he fought back from 5–1 down to win 6–5 with a 158 checkout and an average of just 75.05. More routine wins over Brendan Dolan and Ian White followed before Van Gerwen defeated Hamilton 10–5 in the semi-finals. In the second round of the 2014 World Championship, Hamilton was defeated 4–1 by Burnett. His early exit, coupled with losing the £100,000 on the Order of Merit from reaching the final two years previously, meant he dropped to world number 11 after the event. Hamilton did not receive a wildcard to compete in the Premier League this year. He won his first ranking title since 2007 at the first UK Open Qualifier in February by defeating Lewis 6–2 in the final whilst averaging 105.27. At the UK Open he lost 9–5 in the fourth round to van Gerwen. At the World Matchplay, he lost in 13–10 the second round to Chisnall. Hamilton reached the semi-final stage of the European Darts Trophy where he lost to the eventual winner Michael Smith. He was knocked out in the first round of the remaining four major events of the year and could not get out of his group at the Grand Slam, meaning he failed to reach a single major quarter-final this season having reached seven in 2012 and six in 2013. 2015–2018 Hamilton met Peter Wright in the third round of the 2015 World Championship and was thrashed 4–0. He lost 9–8 to Kim Huybrechts in the fourth round of the UK Open. After beating Raymond van Barneveld 10–7 in the opening round of the World Matchplay, Hamilton described his play over the last six months as