Get ready for a whirlwind week in darts! This week features the intense PDC Players Championship in Leicester, crucial qualifiers for the World Series of Darts Finals, and the prestigious WDF Welsh Open where new legends emerge. The European Tour heats up with the Hungarian Darts Trophy, while we also celebrate recent champions like Connor Hopkins and reflect on the storied careers of darts icons like Wayne Mardle and the legendary Phil Taylor. It’s a packed schedule promising thrilling action and a rich dive into darts history.
This Week’s Darts Action: PDC, WDF, and European Tour
PDC Players Championship & World Series Qualifiers
The elite of professional darts descend upon Leicester this week for a double-header of PDC Players Championship events on Tuesday and Wednesday. These crucial tournaments are a staple of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) ProTour, offering vital ranking points and prize money that can significantly impact a player’s season.
Before the main events, players will battle it out in a tour card qualifier for the final coveted spots at the World Series of Darts Finals. This major PDC tournament is scheduled to take place in Amsterdam later in September, bringing together top players from around the globe.
The Prestigious WDF Welsh Open
Meanwhile, the World Darts Federation (WDF) circuit hosts the much-anticipated Welsh Open weekend. This historic event has seen many future legends lift its trophy. In 2022, the darting sensation Luke Littler claimed the title, followed last year by the emerging talent Mitchell Lawrie. Both joined a distinguished list of winners, including numerous world and major champions, who have marked their presence at this iconic tournament.
European Tour Spotlight: Hungarian Darts Trophy
The European Tour action kicks off this Friday with the Hungarian Darts Trophy at the magnificent MVM Dome in Budapest. Last year’s event saw a rare and thrilling upset as Niko Springer, considered an outsider, stormed to victory with a gripping last-leg triumph over Danny Noppert. While Springer’s win was memorable, this popular event typically sees the sport’s biggest names and European Tour specialists dominate. Past champions include:
- Michael van Gerwen (MVG)
- Dave Chisnall
- Gerwyn Price
- Joe Cullen
Celebrating Champions and Darts Legacy
Red Dragon Champion of Champions: A New Winner Crowned
The highly respected Red Dragon Champion of Champions event recently crowned its latest winner: Connor Hopkins. This remarkable title, reminiscent of historical formats like the old News of The World competition, boasts a rich roll of honour. Five years ago, Jonny Clayton became an esteemed champion, joining a list of Welsh colleagues such as Gerwyn Price, David Davis, Jim Williams, and Alec Small, alongside other notable players like Ryan Searle.
A Look Back: Iconic Moments and Legends
Darts history is filled with unforgettable moments and legendary figures. Reflecting on past events, it’s interesting to note how calendar variations can shift perspectives. For instance, this very week in 2021, Michael van Gerwen dominated the Perth Darts Masters “down under.” Van Gerwen’s supremacy was challenged only once in that event, by James Wade, who pushed him to a close 10-8 finish in the quarter-finals. Interestingly, James Wade recently celebrated another milestone, winning his first World Series of Darts event.
We also recall the prime years of darts icon Wayne Mardle. Long before his celebrated career as a coach and pundit, Mardle secured a BDO/WDF title in Denmark. He joined a long and storied list of honourees at this stalwart event in the darts calendar, a list that includes early idols like Stefan Lord and ‘Big’ Cliff Lazarenko, the undisputed ‘Power’ Phil Taylor himself, and contemporary stars such as Gary Anderson, Ian White, and Krzysztof Ratajski.
Historical Triumphs and Milestones
Over the decades, September has been a month of significant darting achievements. We remember the triumph of Peter Evison in the World Matchplay, Kirk Shepherd claiming his second BDO Teenage Championship title, and the incredible surge of Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor in 2001. This period also marked the early stages of today’s dominant PDC tour, with the 2011 season being particularly pivotal in its evolution.
The Enduring Swedish Open
The WDF circuit continues its global journey, with the 56th edition of the Swedish Open taking place in Malmö this weekend. First staged in 1969, this event stands as one of the longest-running and most cherished fixtures on the European darts calendar, a true testament to the sport’s enduring legacy.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
