The High Stakes of Darts Q-School: Day 1 Unfolds
The journey to becoming a professional darts player is paved with ambition and pressure, and the first day of the 2026 PDC Qualifying School (Q-School) was no exception. Players from across Europe and the UK battled it out for a chance to earn a PDC Tour Card, which grants access to the sport’s elite ProTour circuit. This initial “First Stage” phase is all about accumulating points or winning a daily qualifier to progress to the “Final Stage,” where the Tour Cards are ultimately decided.
EU Q-School: German Successes and Stunning Decisions
The European Q-School in Kalkar, Germany, provided plenty of talking points, particularly from a German perspective:
- Merk and Klose Lead the Charge: Arno Merk showcased remarkable consistency, hitting averages in the mid-to-high 80s and even a 10-darter, to secure his spot in the Final Stage. He was joined by Daniel Klose, dubbed “Dan The Man,” who dominated the PDC Europe Next Gen series after losing his previous Tour Card. Klose’s performance suggests he’s a strong contender for a return to the ProTour.
- Hempel’s Shock Withdrawal: In a surprising move, multi-time World Championship participant Florian Hempel announced via Instagram that he would not compete in the Final Stage, despite being seeded. Hempel stated his intention to regain focus and enjoyment by competing in events like Next Gen or Host Nation Qualifiers instead.
- Krohne’s Early Exit: Another German talent, Paul Krohne, also withdrew despite winning his daily qualifier, choosing to prioritize his education.
- Other German Qualifiers: Promising players like Pascal Rupprecht, Florian Preis, and Marvin Kraft also impressed, earning their places in the Final Stage and hoping for further success.
On the Bubble and Early Struggles (EU)
Several players found themselves fighting for points to stay in contention. Mika Donnevert faced an unexpected hiccup when his name was initially missing from the draw, but he recovered to earn valuable points. Others like Cedric Jeske, David Jeske, Frank Bruns, and Paul Goyer also performed well enough to accumulate points for the Order of Merit, which ranks players for Final Stage spots.
However, it wasn’t a smooth ride for everyone. Liam Maendl-Lawrance, considered a strong contender, began with an impressive 106 average but was eliminated in the next round. Former Super League players Franz Rötzsch, Rowby-John Rodriguez, Jarod Becker, and Tim Scholz also faced disappointing early exits, highlighting the unforgiving nature of Q-School where even an 80+ average isn’t always enough to progress.
International Talents Emerge (EU)
The European field also saw strong performances from non-German players:
- Dutch Dominance: The Netherlands had a strong showing, with Danny Jansen and reigning WDF World Champion Jimmy van Schie among those securing their Final Stage berths. Former Tour Card holders like Jeffrey de Zwaan and Vincent Kamphuis also showed glimpses of form, keeping their hopes alive for a Tour Card return.
- Diverse Qualifiers: The list of qualifiers included a mix of former World Championship participants such as Romeo Grbavac and Benjamin Pratnemer, alongside Finland’s Teemu Harju.
UK Q-School: Veterans and Rising Stars Clash
Across the Channel in Milton Keynes, the UK Q-School delivered its own share of drama.
Familiar Faces Secure Their Spots (UK)
Several well-known names successfully navigated Day 1:
- Arron Monk’s Comeback Trail: Former PDC World Youth Champion Arron Monk, a two-time Q-School success story who lost his Tour Card in 2024, is firmly on track for another return.
- Jamie Hughes Advances: Popular player Jamie Hughes was among the 16 daily qualifiers, showcasing his experience.
- Simon Stevenson’s Strong Start: Simon Stevenson, known for his sensational 2019 UK Open quarter-final run, arrived in top form, recovering from a 0-4 deficit in his first match, hinting at a potential deep run in the Final Stage.
New Talents and Legendary Comebacks (UK)
The UK Q-School also featured WDF champions and seasoned veterans:
- Shane McGuirk’s Progress: 2024 WDF World Champion Shane McGuirk, while not hitting his absolute best, strategically defeated ProTour hopeful Mike Warburton and former Grand Slam semi-finalist Kevin McDine, eventually overcoming darts legend Steve Beaton in the final. “The Bronzed Adonis” Beaton still earned valuable points for his comeback attempt.
- Modus Super Series Stars: Players from the Modus Super Series, such as Tom Lonsdale and Tom Sykes (who competed for £60,000 just yesterday), also made their mark. Welshman Llew Bevan was a top performer with a stunning 106 average, while 57-year-old Derek Coulson also impressed.
Veteran Struggles and Unlucky Exits (UK)
While some veterans advanced, others faced an uphill battle:
- Henderson’s Path to Final Stage: Entering the last 32 put John Henderson in a good position for the Final Stage, despite a tough loss to daily winner Jamie Chaplin.
- Former Tour Card Holders in the Mix: Players like Lee Evans, Graham Usher, James Richardson, and Harry Ward (who once won a ProTour title but voluntarily gave up his card) accumulated crucial points.
- Darts Legends Falter: The day proved challenging for some of darts’ most celebrated names. Kevin Painter, “The Artist,” managed only a 67 average in his opening game. John Part won his first match but then fell to Arron Monk. Former World Championship finalists Mark Dudbridge and Andy Hamilton (PDC), along with Mark McGeeney (BDO), also had to fight hard after early setbacks. Ronan McDonagh suffered a particularly bitter exit, posting a three-figure average in his only game but still losing to Lewis Gurney.
What’s Next?
The action continues tomorrow with Day 2 of the First Stage of Q-School 2026. The EU Q-School resumes at 12:00 PM CET, followed by the UK Q-School at 1:00 PM CET, as more players vie for the opportunity to progress to the Final Stage and pursue their professional darts dreams.
Source: Based on dartn.de.
