On a thrilling Day 3 of UK Q-School, Irish sensation Shane McGuirk and England’s Tom Sykes secured their highly sought-after PDC Tour Cards, granting them professional status for the next two years. Their victories came amidst a day of unexpected upsets, seeing many established names crash out early, and opening the door for new talent to shine. For those who didn’t follow the entire event, this means two fresh faces will be joining the elite darts circuit, with McGuirk, the reigning WDF World Champion, making a significant leap to the PDC.
The Fierce Battle for Professional Status
PDC Q-School is the annual qualifying event where aspiring professional darts players compete for a coveted ‘Tour Card.’ This card grants them entry into all PDC ProTour events for a specified period, allowing them to compete against the world’s best. Saturday’s action at Milton Keynes saw 127 players battling it out, one less than expected as Kevin McDine’s absence gave Brett Claydon a bye. Following two days already packed with surprises, Day 3 proved no different.
High-Profile Exits Shake Up the Field
The trend of unexpected exits continued, with Friday’s losing finalists, Steven Lennon and Danny Goddard, both crashing out in the very first round. This significantly impacted their ranking positions. Even more shocking was the early elimination of seasoned professionals and well-known names, including:
- Steve Beaton
- Scott Waites
- Fallon Sherrock
- Scott Mitchell
- Arron Monk
- John Part
- Darren Beveridge
- Tyler Thorpe
These high-profile departures immediately set the stage for a day of unpredictable outcomes.
Big Names Tumble, New Stars Emerge
The second round continued the dramatic theme, as more significant players were eliminated. This included:
- Graham Hall
- John Henderson
- Ted Evetts
- Mervyn King
- Sam Spivey (who was impressively ranked second overall after two days)
- William Borland
- Mark McGeeney
Their exits created a wide-open field, particularly benefiting players who had struggled to accumulate points in the initial days. This was a golden opportunity for those looking to make a late surge. Among those who seized this chance, Charlie Manby (a Last 16 player at the recent World Championship), Shane McGuirk (the reigning 2024 WDF World Champion), and Tom Sykes all fought their way valiantly into the semi-finals.
The Race for the Tour Cards: Final Showdowns
The finals were the culmination of intense competition, with two coveted Tour Cards on the line. Four players remained – three Englishmen and one Irishman.
Upper Bracket Final: McGuirk vs. Manby
In the upper half of the draw, Shane McGuirk faced Charlie Manby. After an even start, with the score tied at 2-2, the Irish star found his rhythm. McGuirk powered ahead, winning four consecutive legs with clinical finishes of 64 and 82. This dominant run secured him a 6-2 victory and, more importantly, his PDC Tour Card, marking a monumental step in his career from WDF World Champion to PDC professional.
Lower Bracket Final: Sykes vs. Burton
The lower bracket saw Tom Sykes take on Stephen Burton, a player who held a Tour Card just last year. Sykes had shown exceptional form, notably averaging 100 in his 6-0 semi-final whitewash over Llew Bevan. He carried this momentum into the final, storming to a 4-0 lead with impressive legs including an 11-darter and a 13-darter. Burton, however, showed resilience, fighting his way back into the match. In a nail-biting tenth leg, Burton had a dart at the bullseye to level the score at 5-5 but narrowly missed. Sykes seized the opportunity, calmly hitting double 8 to clinch the match 6-4. This victory earned the 33-year-old Englishman his first-ever PDC Tour Card, a career-defining moment.
Match Results at a Glance
Semi-Finals:
- Charlie Manby 6-5 James Parkin
- Shane McGuirk 6-0 Nick Cocks
- Tom Sykes 6-0 Llew Bevan
- Stephen Burton 6-3 David Sharp
Finals (Tour Card Winners):
- Shane McGuirk 6-2 Charlie Manby
- Tom Sykes 6-4 Stephen Burton
The Battle for Ranking Spots Continues
Beyond the direct Tour Card winners, UK Q-School offers five additional Tour Cards through a cumulative Order of Merit ranking over all four days. Points are awarded for reaching certain stages, making every match crucial. With his strong performance and a runner-up finish, Stephen Burton has significantly boosted his chances, currently leading the ranking with ten points. However, his position is far from secure, with one more day of intense competition remaining. Intriguingly, the current top five on the ranking list includes three players who are vying for their first Tour Cards:
- David Sharp
- Sam Spivey
- Derek Coulson
The final day promises more drama as players battle for those precious remaining spots, determining who will join McGuirk and Sykes on the professional circuit.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
