Day one of the PDC Qualifying School delivered an explosion of darts drama, with Germany’s Arno Merk and Poland’s Filip Bereza securing coveted Tour Cards in Kalkar after a series of incredible comebacks and missed opportunities. Meanwhile, in Milton Keynes, Rhys Griffin made a triumphant return to the professional circuit, joined by newcomer Adam Leek, both battling through their own intense encounters to earn their spots on the PDC Tour.
A Day of Darts Drama: Kalkar’s Heroes Emerge
The European Q-School in Kalkar, Germany, kicked off with a bang, seeing two players overcome immense pressure to claim their professional futures.
Arno Merk’s Marathon to the Tour Card
For Germany’s Arno Merk, the first day was nothing short of a fairytale. After having a taste of the Pro Tour as a reserve last year, he officially joins the elite group of 128 Tour Card holders. Merk’s path was paved with high-stakes moments and incredible resilience:
- He started strong with a 6-3 win over Danny Jansen.
- His best performance came against Romeo Grbavac, where he boasted an impressive 95 average in a 6-2 victory.
- Merk orchestrated a crucial comeback against Mylo Michiels, turning a 3-4 deficit into a win.
- Against Jeffrey Keen, he secured the final legs with two 15-dart finishes, including remarkable 164 and 120 checkouts while his opponent was well within reach of a double.
- The semi-final against Damian Mol was even more dramatic: Merk recovered from a 1-4 deficit, survived several missed match darts from his opponent, and then checked out 73 with his last dart in hand in the deciding leg.
- In the final against Dutchman Jeffrey Sparidaans, Merk found himself 3-5 down. Sparidaans then famously missed at least four match darts, allowing Merk to seal his Tour Card with three consecutive 16-dart legs.
Merk’s journey was a testament to his fighting spirit, making him one of the day’s most deserving winners.
Filip Bereza Stuns Jeffrey de Zwaan for a Tour Card
The other Tour Card awarded in Kalkar went to a sensational underdog: Poland’s Filip Bereza. His victory came at the expense of highly-fancied Dutchman Jeffrey de Zwaan, in a match that left spectators in disbelief.
- De Zwaan, a former Tour Card holder, had built a commanding 5-1 lead in the final, seemingly on his way back to the professional circuit.
- However, Bereza mounted an astonishing comeback, winning five consecutive legs to snatch the Tour Card from de Zwaan’s grasp.
- Bereza had already shown his mettle earlier in the day, surviving a match dart against Peter Kelemen in the second round.
- His other wins, including 6-2 against Michael Hurtz and Michael Unterbuchner, demonstrated his consistent form.
De Zwaan’s missed opportunities were heartbreaking, especially after a stellar 100+ average earlier in the day against Benjamin Pratnemer. This result highlights the brutal, unpredictable nature of Q-School.
Other Notable Performances in Kalkar
While only two Tour Cards were handed out, many players showed promising form:
- Björn Quoiffy, a relatively unknown 25-year-old, enjoyed a deep run, beating former Tour Card holder Patrick Geeraets before being stopped by Jeffrey de Zwaan in the last 16.
- Marvin Kraft and Michael Unterbuchner also collected valuable ranking points, with Unterbuchner dropping only one leg in his first two matches.
- Former Tour Card holder Daniel Klose showed his class with a 90+ average but suffered a narrow 5-6 defeat.
- In a particularly tough break, Florian Preis recorded the highest losing average of the first round (over 98 points) but still lost 2-6 to an inspired Maikel Verberk.
- Several international hopefuls, including Jelle Klaasen and Cristo Reyes, saw their campaigns end early.
UK Q-School: Griffin Returns, Leek Emerges Victorious
Across the Channel in Milton Keynes, the UK Q-School also produced two dramatic Tour Card winners.
Rhys Griffin’s Resilient Comeback
Welshman Rhys Griffin, a former Tour Card holder, fought tooth and nail to reclaim his spot on the professional tour.
- His resilience was evident early on when he came back from a 2-5 deficit against Shane McGuirk in the second round, including a 12- and 11-dart finish against the throw.
- Griffin overcame strong opponents like former Tour Card holders Steve Lennon and Harry Ward.
- Against Ward, Griffin produced a sensational 132 checkout when Ward was left with 36 for the match after nine darts.
- He then swept past Derek Coulson with a 104 average and delivered a stunning 6-0 whitewash against Scott Waites in the final to secure his Tour Card.
Griffin’s performance was a masterclass in composure and clutch finishing.
Adam Leek: A New Star on the Horizon
The second UK Tour Card went to a fresh face, Australia’s Adam Leek, who secured his first-ever professional Tour Card.
- Leek showcased remarkable consistency under pressure, with four consecutive matches going to a deciding leg.
- He survived multiple match darts against Nathan Potter and Aden Kirk.
- Leek also impressively defeated darts veteran Steve Beaton 6-5 in a tight encounter.
- The final against Tyler Thorpe was a hard-fought battle with no breaks of throw, which Leek ultimately won in the decider.
Leek’s debut Tour Card win is a testament to his burgeoning talent and nerves of steel.
UK Notables and Near Misses
Many other familiar names battled hard in Milton Keynes:
- Darts legend Steve Beaton, who had planned to retire, made a strong run to the semi-finals, narrowly missing out on a Tour Card after squandering break chances against Adam Leek.
- Scotland’s John Henderson also attempted a comeback, winning two deciders before being stopped by Derek Coulson.
- Rising star Charlie Manby, fresh from a World Championship Last 16 appearance, showed a 98 average but fell in the first round despite high finishes from his opponent Jack Aldridge.
- Veteran Mervyn King was among several former Tour Card holders to collect valuable ranking points, including Steve Lennon, Jim Williams, and Darren Beveridge.
Understanding the PDC Q-School
The PDC Qualifying School is an annual event where professional darts players and aspiring talents compete for a limited number of coveted Tour Cards. These cards grant players access to the professional circuit, including all Players Championship events and the right to enter European Tour qualifiers. It’s a grueling, high-pressure tournament, often referred to as the “toughest school in darts,” where dreams are made and shattered in equal measure.
Looking Ahead to Day 2
The drama continues tomorrow at 13:00 CET for the second day of the Final Stage of Q-School 2026, where more players will vie for their chance at professional darts glory.
Source: Based on dartn.de.
