The Austrian Darts Open has kicked off with a mix of local triumph and early upsets! Home favorite Mensur Suljovic delighted the crowd by comfortably securing his spot in the second round, defeating Cameron Menzies 6-2. However, it was a different story for fellow Austrian Zoran Lerchbacher, who fell to Peter Wright. The tournament also saw several major contenders, including Dave Chisnall, Michael Smith, Joe Cullen, and Raymond van Barneveld, crash out unexpectedly in the first round, setting the stage for an unpredictable weekend of darts.
Tournament Highlights: Day 1 Recap
The opening day of the Austrian Darts Open 2026 delivered plenty of drama and unexpected results as players battled it out for a spot in the second round. While some local hopes were dashed, others shone brightly.
Austrian Hopes: Suljovic Advances, Lerchbacher Out
As the sole Austrian remaining in the tournament, Mensur Suljovic once again proved his mettle on home soil. “The Gentle” secured a comfortable 6-2 victory over Cameron Menzies, much to the delight of the local fans. Menzies struggled throughout the match, finding it difficult to maintain his scoring rhythm and dealing with the atmosphere. Suljovic capitalised on these struggles, executing crucial finishes of 14 and 17 darts to take a commanding 3-1 lead, followed by an impressive 87 checkout. Menzies managed one more leg, hitting double 8, but Suljovic quickly closed out the match with a 78 checkout, hitting tops for the win.
Unfortunately, it was an early exit for another Austrian, Zoran Lerchbacher. Playing against the charismatic Peter Wright, Lerchbacher put up a fight but ultimately lost 6-2. Lerchbacher started strong, taking the first leg on tops, but Wright, known as “Snakebite,” quickly found his form, leveling with a 15-dart leg. Wright then went on a run, securing the next three legs to establish a 4-1 lead. Despite a late leg on double 5 for “Hypercane,” Wright sealed his victory with finishes in 17 and 15 darts.
Major Contenders Fall: Shock Exits Shake Up the Draw
The first round proved to be a graveyard for several big names, significantly altering the landscape of the tournament. Here’s a look at some of the notable upsets from Friday, May 8, 2026:
- Raymond van Barneveld’s Struggles: “Barney” had a day to forget, posting a low 77 average and managing to win only two legs in his 6-2 defeat to Alan Soutar. His struggles with scoring were evident, making it an easy path for Soutar to advance.
- Michael Smith’s Early Departure: The former World Champion, “Bully Boy” Michael Smith, also crashed out, losing 6-4 to Ian White. Smith’s scoring power, usually a hallmark of his game, was notably absent, preventing him from making a deeper run.
- Dirk van Duijvenbode’s Disappointment: Despite a strong 100+ average, Dirk van Duijvenbode couldn’t overcome Madars Razma, losing 6-4. “Razmatazz” showed superior timing in the crucial moments of what was otherwise a tightly contested match.
- Dave Chisnall’s Double Trouble: Dave Chisnall faced a significant setback in his quest for a World Matchplay ticket, falling 6-3 to Cristo Reyes. “Chizzy’s” abysmal 15% double success rate was his downfall, as Reyes, despite a lower average, boasted a five-fold higher double percentage, earning him a deserved victory.
- Joe Cullen’s Upset: “The Rockstar” Joe Cullen suffered a surprise 6-5 defeat to Robert Owen, who claimed his first win against Cullen in seven years. Cullen started poorly and couldn’t recover, ultimately missing out on a match dart in the deciding leg as Owen secured the win with a 15-dart finish.
- Karel Sedlacek’s Double Woes: Karel Sedlacek’s journey ended with a 6-3 loss to Kim Huybrechts, largely due to his difficulties on the doubles. The Czech player had check darts in almost every leg but couldn’t convert enough to challenge Huybrechts.
Looking Ahead: Day 2 Fixtures and Prize Money
The second day of the Austrian Darts Open 2026, Saturday, May 9, will see the 16 seeded players enter the competition, as is customary for European Tour events. The action will be split into two sessions, promising more high-stakes darts.
Saturday’s Schedule: The Seeds Enter the Fray
All times are Central European Summer Time (CEST).
Afternoon Session (Starts 13:00 CEST)
- Jermaine Wattimena (10) vs. Andrew Gilding
- Mike De Decker (11) vs. Ryan Joyce
- Rob Cross (15) vs. William O’Connor
- Ryan Searle (6) vs. Kevin Doets
- Ross Smith (8) vs. Niels Zonneveld
- Damon Heta (12) vs. Cristo Reyes
- Luke Woodhouse (14) vs. Rob Owen
- Chris Dobey (7) vs. Kim Huybrechts
Evening Session (Starts 19:00 CEST)
- Daryl Gurney (16) vs. Ian White
- Josh Rock (4) vs. Patrik Kovacs
- James Wade (3) vs. Mensur Suljovic (Local Hero’s Next Challenge!)
- Michael van Gerwen (2) vs. Krzysztof Ratajski
- Danny Noppert (5) vs. Alan Soutar
- Gian van Veen (1) vs. Madars Razma
- Martin Schindler (9) vs. Peter Wright
- Wessel Nijman (13) vs. Niko Springer
The Stakes: Prize Money Breakdown
A total prize fund of £230,000 is on offer for this tournament, with the winner taking home a substantial £35,000. It’s important to note a key rule regarding prize money:
To have their prize money count towards the PDC Order of Merit, European Tour Order of Merit, and Pro Tour Order of Merit, all 32 pre-qualified players must win their opening match. If they lose their first game, they still receive the prize money, but it will not contribute to these vital ranking systems.
Here’s the detailed breakdown:
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semi-Finals: £10,000
- Quarter-Finals: £8,000
- Last 16: £5,000
- Last 32 (2nd Round): £3,500
- Last 64 (1st Round): £2,000
The entire tournament is broadcast live, allowing fans worldwide to follow every dart thrown from the comfort of their homes.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
