Michael van Gerwen’s aura of invincibility in the world of darts may be diminishing, but the statistics show ‘The Green Machine’ is still a major force to be reckoned with.
Continue reading “Van Gerwen tops PDC Power Rankings!”
Former Lakeside champions Richie Burnett and Scott Waites headlined the players to secure PDC Tour Cards as the 2022 PDC Qualifying Schools concluded on Saturday, with Northern Irish newcomer Josh Rock and Poland’s Krzysztof Kciuk winning the respective events to clinch their professional status.
Continue reading “Q School 2022: Burnett, Waites among players to claim PDC Tour Cards on dramatic final day”
Barry Hearn OBE has stepped down from his role as PDC chairman following 20 years at the helm, and will be replaced by his son Eddie Hearn.
Continue reading “Barry Hearn OBE steps down as PDC chairman”
Keane Barry and David Evans claimed titles as the PDC Unicorn Challenge Tour returned in Barnsley, whilst Fallon Sherrock also impressed as she posted a mammoth average en route to reaching the quarter-finals of Friday’s opening event.
Continue reading “Sherrock posts 110 average as Challenge Tour returns”
The Professional Darts Corporation have issued a statement regarding allegations levelled at Jelle Klaasen during Night Seven of the PDC Unibet Home Tour on Thursday.
Continue reading “Home Tour: PDC issue statement regarding Klaasen controversy”
The Professional Darts Players Association has announced details of financial support for players affected by the current suspension of tournaments due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Continue reading “PDPA announce ’emergency’ financial support for PDC Tour Card holders”
PDC Chairman Barry Hearn has urged the current BDO board of directors to ‘resign en bloc immediately’ following their controversial treatment of players at the recent BDO World Championship.
Continue reading “Hearn urges ‘disgraceful’ BDO board to resign”
PDC Chairman Barry Hearn has expressed his delight at BDO world champion Glen Durrant securing his two-year PDC Tour Card at last weekend’s UK Qualifying School in Wigan. Continue reading “Hearn delighted by Durrant’s Q-School success!”
Two-time world champion Gary Anderson overcame an impressive display from debutant Kevin Burness to book his spot in the third-round of the PDC World Championship, despite being plagued by a wasp on a dramatic day of action at the Alexandra Palace. Continue reading “Anderson through to round-three after overcoming Ally Pally wasp!”
Michael Unterbuchner caused one of the biggest upsets at this year’s Grand Slam of Darts by dumping out James Wade to reach the quarter-finals, as Michael van Gerwen edged out Michael Smith in one of the greatest games in the tournament’s history. Continue reading “Unterbuchner stuns Wade at the Grand Slam!”
Jonny Clayton stunned Michael van Gerwen in one of the greatest games ever seen at the Grand Slam of Darts, as Gary Anderson posted the fourth highest average in the tournament’s history on a dramatic day of action in Wolverhampton. Continue reading “Grand Slam of Darts – Day Two Report!”
Four-time women’s world champion Lisa Ashton has slammed BDO selectors after they chose not to select a female representative to compete in this year’s Grand Slam of Darts. Continue reading “Lisa Ashton slams BDO selectors over Grand Slam snub!”
The late Eric Bristow MBE is to be honoured by the Professional Darts Corporation with the naming of the Grand Slam of Darts trophy in memory of the five-time world champion. Continue reading “Grand Slam trophy renamed in honour of Bristow!”
Young darting sensation Beau Greaves produced an astonishing display to further underline her credentials in a local men’s league game on Thursday night. The fourteen-year-old Yorkshire schoolgirl burst on to the darting scene in 2016 and is regarded by many as one of the most exciting talents in the sport. Continue reading “14-year-old wonder-girl Beau Greaves posts incredible 99 average in local league!”
Adrian Lewis has bemoaned the lack of ‘support’ shown to him by the Professional Darts Corporation following the injury woes that blighted his 2017 season. Continue reading “Lewis bemoans lack of ‘support’ from PDC!”
The PDC have confirmed that the Champions League and the Grand Slam of Darts will both be held at new venues later this year. Continue reading “New Venues for Champions League & Grand Slam of Darts!”
Three-time Lakeside World Championship finalist Tony O’Shea has blasted ‘ridiculous’ eligibility rules imposed by the BDO, due to the restrictions placed on those who have switched codes to compete in the recent PDC Qualifying School. Continue reading “Tony O’Shea blasts ‘ridiculous’ eligibility rules in the BDO!”
The list of high-profile stars departing the BDO in order to compete at this week’s PDC Qualifying School continues, with Jamie Hughes and Darryl Fitton joining the likes of Danny Noppert, Jeff Smith and Tony O’Shea in switching allegiances. Continue reading “Hughes, Fitton & O’Shea join growing list of BDO departures!”
Former BDO World Championship finalists Danny Noppert and Jeff Smith have both confirmed that they will be attempting to secure PDC Tour Cards at Q-School later this month. Continue reading “Noppert & Jeff Smith to compete at PDC Q-School!”
Reigning BDO world champion Glen Durrant has admitted that he would love to join the Professional Darts Corporation next year if he was offered a tour-card by PDC chairman Barry Hearn. Continue reading “Durrant issues tour-card plea to PDC chairman Barry Hearn!”
Former Lakeside world finalist Jeff Smith has controversially had his wildcard for December’s Finder Darts Masters revoked, a week after it was revealed that the Canadian would be competing at the PDC’s World Championship later this year. Continue reading “Smith’s Finder Darts Masters wildcard revoked!”
Newly crowned Lakeside world champion Glen Durrant will remain a BDO player for at least the next twelve months, after confirming that he will aim to defend his World Championship title in January 2018.
The 46-year-old has dominated the BDO circuit for the last 18 months, having won successive World Masters crowns and twelve ranking titles in 2016. However, he finally achieved “the culmination of his dream” by defeating Dutch debutant Danny Noppert 7-3 to win his maiden world title at the Lakeside Country Club on Sunday evening.
Speculation was rife that Durrant would join up with his stablemates at the Sportsman Management Company, which includes the Premier League duo of Jelle Klaasen and Kim Huybrechts, as well as world number eight Mensur Suljovic, all of whom are managed by Mac Elkin.
Yet ‘Duzza’ put an end to speculation, confirming to local tv: “I’m delighted to say I’m going to stay on the BDO tour and I’ll be back at Lakeside next year to try and retain the title. I’m going to take a bit of time out now. If I was a car, I’d be running on empty. I need to recharge the batteries, whether that’s a month or three months out of the game, just whatever it takes.” Continue reading “Durrant opts to reject PDC switch but set for up to three month lay-off!”
Raymond van Barneveld and Scott Mitchell stole the show on the opening day of the 2016 Grand Slam of Darts, as Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor & Gary Anderson all kicked off their campaigns with victories at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Saturday evening.
The highlight of the day saw Raymond van Barneveld produce a vintage performance to power past World Youth-finalist Nathan Aspinall 5-1 with a 110.15 average. The five-time world champion, who won the Grand Slam title back in 2012, kicked off the contest with a maximum and that set the tone for a sumptuous performance.
Van Barneveld posted three maximums and converted 63% of his attempts at double to begin his campaign in style. Aspinall acquitted himself extremely well and averaged 97 but he faced an inspired Barney, evidenced in the fifth leg when Aspinall was denied a dart at double despite leaving 36 after nine darts, as RvB fired in a stunning 140 finish.
The Dutch legend was unsurprisingly in bullish mood after his scintillating display. He told PDC media manager Dave Allen: “That 140 was a killer, and I’m really happy and satisfied with the 110 average of course. I’m really focused, I feel good and I’m looking forward to tomorrow afternoon.” Continue reading “Grand Slam of Darts Day One: Barney & Mitchell steal the show in Wolverhampton!”
Nine-time major finalist Terry Jenkins has confirmed that he will essentially enter semi-retirement from the PDC circuit after this year’s World Championships. The 53-year-old from Ledbury, Herefordshire, has struggled for form throughout the year, reaching just one final on the Pro Tour in 2016.
Jenkins is currently 16th on the PDC Order of Merit, although his top 16 status is under imminent threat as he’s defending £25,000 in Hasselt next week, having reached the European Championship final two years ago. As a result, ‘The Bull’ is under pressure to produce a good run in Belgium.
Since joining the PDC in 2003, Jenkins has appeared in nine-major finals, although he has lost out on each occasion- once to Raymond van Barneveld, Adrian Lewis and Michael van Gerwen, twice to James Wade, and four times to Phil Taylor. Nevertheless, ‘The Bull’ has won 13 ranking titles and displayed immense consistency throughout this period.
In an exclusive interview with Paul Starr on Tungsten Tales, Jenkins revealed: “I’m going to wind it right down after the World Championships. I’ll probably knock the tours on the head; particularly the European Tours, and just play what I’m in through the rankings really. Continue reading “Terry Jenkins confirms PDC retirement plans!”
Former world champion Jelle Klaasen has released a statement confirming that he will be unavailable for selection for the upcoming World Cup of Darts, due to personal commitments.
Klaasen admitted he was very disappointed to be missing out on the 2016 competition, but said: ‘I would like to wish the Netherlands’ representatives the very best of luck in the competition.’
Klaasen has recently overtaken five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld on the PDC Order of Merit, subsequently becoming the second highest-ranked Dutch player in the world. Van Barneveld began the year in 9th position, but he has decided not to compete in Pro Tour events until September due to his hectic schedule.
This enabled Klaasen to overtake Barney on the Order of Merit, and with RvB not competing in the upcoming Players Championship double-header in Coventry, the 49-year-old would not be able to overtake Klaasen before the cut-off.
Continue reading “Jelle Klaasen withdraws from the World Cup of Darts!”
On February 16th 2006, ten years ago today, Raymond van Barneveld marked his PDC debut with a thumping 8-1 victory over Ronnie Baxter in the Premier League. Since then, van Barneveld has accomplished some tremendous feats, winning an array of major titles, as well as posting five televised nine-dart finishes. As we celebrate ten years of Raymond van Barneveld in the PDC, Josh’s Dartistry reflects on RvB’s 10 greatest moments.
10. Van Barneveld wins the 2007 Las Vegas Desert Classic!
(Via Ianjk78)
Raymond always performed tremendously well in the Las Vegas Desert Classic, before the tournament was retired in 2010. He reached the final in both 2006 and 2009, losing to John Part and Phil Taylor respectively.
Continue reading “Barney’s decade- Raymond’s greatest 10 PDC moments!”
Ten years ago today, one of the biggest events in darting history transpired, as Raymond van Barneveld joined the Professional Darts Corporation. Josh’s Dartistry looks back at this ground-breaking darting moment which was the catalyst behind the PDC’s rise, by setting the precedent for other BDO players to switch codes in the future.
Raymond van Barneveld was a four-time world champion in the British Darts Organisation. The Dutchman was also a four-time Zuiderduin Masters winner and a two-time World Master. Nevertheless, above all else, he was the figurehead of the BDO; their number one and greatest asset.
Just days earlier, van Barneveld had gone in search of his fifth World Championship title against his young compatriot, 21-year-old qualifier Jelle Klaasen. Victory for Raymond would have seen him equal Eric Bristow’s haul of five world-titles, but Klaasen caused a big upset, and Barney decided it was time for change.
It was a significant coup for the PDC, and PDC co-founder and former tournament director Tommy Cox insisted that van Barneveld’s decision to switch codes was arguably the single biggest factor in the PDC overcoming the BDO in the darting-power struggle.
Losing van Barneveld was of course a major blow for the BDO, but more significantly it gave the PDC an enormous boost. Van Barneveld was rightfully considered the second greatest-player in the world of darts behind a certain Phil Taylor, but barring a handful of meetings between the pair, they hadn’t locked horns on the biggest darting stages.
The Professional Darts Corporation have announced a deal to broadcast PDC darts live on the BBC for the first time in history, with the introduction of a brand new tournament, ‘The Champions League of Darts’, set to be broadcast on the BBC in September.
This tournament will be an eight-player event, hosted at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena from September 24-25th, consisting of the top eight players on the PDC Order of Merit following the conclusion of the World Matchplay in July.
The eight players will be split into two groups of four, with the top two from each group progressing to the semi-finals and subsequently the final, with £100,000 on offer to the winner. World number one Michael van Gerwen, reigning world champion Gary Anderson and 16-time world champion Phil Taylor will all be in attendance in Cardiff.
PDC Chairman Barry Hearn was understandably thrilled to announce this ground-breaking moment, stating: “The BBC has a long history of broadcasting darts but this will be the start of an exciting new era.”
Continue reading “BBC to host PDC’s inaugural ‘Champions League of Darts’ in 2016!”
Former world number one Colin Lloyd will not be present on the PDC circuit in 2016, after opting against competing at Q-School. The 42-year-old, who dropped out of the world’s top 64 earlier last year, was initially on the list of provisional entrants, but he has since withdrawn his entry.
Lloyd has enjoyed an illustrious career in the PDC, but the pinnacle came between 2004-2005, where he won the World Grand Prix in 2004, before winning the World Matchplay in 2005. ‘Jaws’ has also won a multitude of ranking events, and was the number one ranked player in the PDC less than a decade ago.
Lloyd, a builder by trade, won his first title in 2002 at the Antwerp Open, and his career has gone from strength-to-strength from this point onwards . He competed in the inaugural staging of the 2005 Holsten Premier League, and was runner-up to a certain Phil Taylor.
Lloyd also reached the final of the International Darts League in 2006, whilst he’s been a semi-finalist in the PDC World Championships, the European Championships, the UK Open and the Las Vegas Desert Classic.
Former World finalists Peter Manley, Mark Dudbridge and Kirk Shepherd, as well as former BDO world number 3 Jeffrey De Graaf, will be among the field of 400 players competing to secure a PDC tour card at Q-School; after the full list of entries were confirmed on Monday evening.
The four day event, which takes place at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan from January 13th-16th, offers 16 automatic two-year tour cards, with the final four players remaining on each day securing a card.
Ranking points are awarded throughout the four days based on the overall finishing positions, and further tour cards are subsequently awarded based on the final standings on the Q-School Order of Merit.
Players who secure a tour card will be eligible to compete in all Players Championship events throughout the year. They will also be able to participate in UK Open qualifiers and European Tour qualifiers, with the potential incentive of qualifying for major TV events.
One of the PDC’s finest young prospects was the victim of a unprovoked attack on his way home from a game of snooker yesterday.
Ricky Evans, known as ‘rapid’ due to his quick throwing action, sustained a black eye and heavy bruising after the sinister and cowardly assault. The culprit has yet to be identified.
Continue reading “‘Rapid’ Ricky Evans Victim of Brutal Attack”
Please check out the first vlog on my site. Based on the recent UK Open and the latter stages of 2014, I assess five lower-ranked players who could make a big impact on the PDC tour this year.
Do you agree with my choices? Who are your PDC players to watch in 2015? Please let me know your thoughts by commenting underneath the post! Thanks for watching, I hope you enjoy it!