Darts Dreams Reignited: Veterans Return, New Stars Emerge at PDC Q-School!
The PDC Tour Qualifying School (Q-School) has once again delivered high drama, seeing both seasoned professionals make triumphant returns and exciting new talents earn their spots on the professional circuit. In Europe, Spain’s Cristo Reyes secured his return after a five-year absence, joined by Dutchman Jeffrey Sparidaans. Meanwhile, the UK Q-School celebrated two debutants: Ireland’s Niall Culleton and England’s Carl Sneyd, who battled through thrilling matches to earn their first-ever PDC Tour Cards. These four players are among the first to directly qualify, with more cards to be awarded through the Order of Merit standings over the coming days.
Cristo Reyes’ Triumphant Comeback
Cristo Reyes, the Spanish darting veteran, is set to make a highly anticipated return to the PDC professional circuit after a five-year hiatus. His journey back was marked by a series of impressive performances at the European Q-School in Germany, culminating in a decisive 6-3 victory over Matthias Ehlers.
Reyes, 38, recently signaled his resurgence by returning to the World Darts Championship last month after a six-year absence. There, he notably took a set off eventual finalist Gian van Veen, reminding many of his past form which saw him reach the last 16 at Alexandra Palace in 2015.
Jeffrey Sparidaans’ Dramatic Return
Dutchman Jeffrey Sparidaans also secured his return to the professional circuit, ending a one-year absence in the most dramatic fashion. His decisive match against Michele Turetta was a true nail-biter.
Sparidaans initially built a commanding 5-1 lead, only to see Turetta stage an incredible comeback, including a stunning 170 checkout to level the match at 5-5. The tension peaked in the deciding leg, where Turetta squandered four crucial match darts, allowing Sparidaans to seize the opportunity and clinch a hard-fought 6-5 victory and his coveted Tour Card.
New Stars Emerge in the UK
Across the channel, at the UK Qualifying School in Milton Keynes, two new faces emerged to claim their maiden PDC Tour Cards, showcasing incredible resilience and skill.
Niall Culleton’s Unforgettable Journey
The Irishman’s path to a Tour Card was nothing short of extraordinary:
- He began by defeating Kirk De Ruyter 6-3.
- In a stunning display of mental fortitude, Culleton came back from a 5-0 deficit to conquer Sam Jackson 6-5.
- He then overcame veteran Mervyn King 6-2 and compatriot Damien Grimes 6-4.
- A strong 98 average secured a 6-3 win against Sam Spivey, setting up a winner-takes-all clash with Danny Goddard.
- Despite Goddard, who had earlier hit a nine-dart finish, taking a 5-4 lead, Culleton rallied once more to triumph 6-5, securing his first-ever PDC Tour Card.
Carl Sneyd’s Breakthrough Performance
England’s Carl Sneyd matched Culleton’s achievement with a series of hard-fought victories:
- He started his day by comfortably beating Martin Tonks 6-1 and Tommy Morris 6-2.
- Sneyd then navigated past fellow countrymen Daryl Hunt and Thomas Cromwell.
- His most dramatic encounter saw him come back from a 5-2 deficit and survive multiple match darts against David Sharp to clinch a 6-5 win.
- In the final, he faced Irish star Steve Lennon. After establishing a 4-2 lead, Sneyd maintained his composure to secure a 6-4 victory, guaranteeing himself two years on the professional circuit.
Understanding the PDC Tour Card System
The PDC Qualifying Schools are crucial pathways for aspiring and returning darts players. Here’s how the cards are awarded:
- Direct Qualification: On each of the four days of the final stage, the last two players standing (the two finalists) at both the UK and European Q-Schools are immediately awarded a PDC Tour Card. This means four cards are awarded daily across both venues.
- Order of Merit: Beyond the direct qualifiers, a further 13 Tour Cards will be distributed based on a ranking system called the Order of Merit. Players earn points for their performances throughout the Q-School final stage. At the end of Sunday’s play, the top eight players from the European Order of Merit and the top five from the UK Order of Merit, who haven’t already won a card directly, will also receive Tour Cards.
The Race for Remaining Cards
The battle for the remaining Order of Merit cards is intensifying. Veteran Steve Beaton, famously known as ‘The Bronzed Adonis,’ found himself in a precarious position after an early exit on Friday. Having been fifth on the UK Order of Merit after day one, a 6-5 first-round loss to Stephen Burton saw him drop to 14th place, below the current cut-off line. He will need strong performances in the remaining days to climb back into a qualifying spot.
Other notable names like Fallon Sherrock and John Part also faced early exits for the second consecutive day, highlighting the fierce competition at Q-School. Charlie Manby and Mervyn King also saw their hopes for direct qualification dashed early on Friday.
Source: Based on an article from Sky Sports – Sports News, Transfers, Scores | Watch Live Sport.
