The latest PDC Challenge Tour weekend in Milton Keynes delivered thrilling darts action! England’s Joe Hunt was the undisputed star, clinching two consecutive titles – a rare feat that likely secures him several spots on the prestigious Pro Tour. Meanwhile, Dutch player Martijn Dragt celebrated his long-awaited maiden Challenge Tour victory. For German players, however, it was a challenging weekend with only a couple reaching the last 32.
Joe Hunt’s Unstoppable Run: A Weekend of Double Delight
This past weekend could prove to be a pivotal moment in Joe Hunt’s career. The English darting talent made history by securing his second consecutive Challenge Tour title, becoming only the 12th player ever to achieve this remarkable feat. This incredible performance propels him to the top of the Challenge Tour Order of Merit, virtually guaranteeing him wildcard entries into the first eight Players Championships of the year – a fantastic opportunity to compete against the sport’s elite on the Pro Tour.
Hunt’s Path to Glory: Overcoming Tough Challenges
Hunt’s journey to his first title was far from easy, starting with a nail-biting decider in the very first round against Joseph Heywood. However, he steadily improved, showcasing his peak form with an impressive 101 average during a dominant 5-1 victory over former World Championship finalist Andy Hamilton to reach the Last 16. Further challenging encounters included a tight 5-4 win against Chas Barstow, where Hunt held his nerve in the deciding leg with a 15-dart finish.
In the final stages, Hunt demonstrated remarkable consistency, winning his last three matches – against darts veterans Steve Beaton, Alan Norris, and ultimately Arron Monk – all with a comfortable 5-2 scoreline. Norris, in particular, will rue missed opportunities to go 3-0 up in their semi-final, highlighting Hunt’s ability to capitalize on his opponents’ errors.
Martijn Dragt’s Emotional Maiden Title
The second event of the day saw Dutch dart player Martijn Dragt claim his first-ever Challenge Tour title, triumphing 5-3 over the experienced Scott Waites in the final. This victory is particularly significant for Dragt, who is set to lose his Tour Card at the end of 2025 after a challenging two-year stint. His previous Tour Card period began poorly, with his first Players Championship win only coming on his 11th attempt, and no major breakthrough followed. Despite narrowly missing out on regaining his Tour Card at Q-School just a week prior, this Challenge Tour success marks a crucial turning point, building on his previous final appearance in 2023.
Dragt’s Determined Journey: Conquering Former Tour Card Holders
Dragt’s route to the final was paved with victories against several former Tour Card holders, including Daniel Klose and Patrick Geeraets. His standout performance came in the quarter-finals, where he registered an excellent 94 average. He then navigated a tough semi-final against Steve Lennon before facing Scott Waites, another former Tour Card holder, in a closely contested final. Waites, known as “Scotty 2 Hotty,” had consistently averaged over 90 throughout the tournament but just fell short in the decisive match, while Simon Stevenson completed the final four.
Mixed Fortunes for German, Swiss, and Austrian Players
For players from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, the opening Challenge Tour weekend proved to be a difficult one overall.
- Event 1:
- Only Florian Preis managed to reach the Last 32, impressing with three 5-1 victories. Despite a 94 average in his fourth match, he couldn’t overcome Christopher Wickenden.
- Daniel Klose narrowly missed out on the prize money round, falling in a decider to Steve Beaton after two strong performances.
- Liam Maendl-Lawrance and Dragutin Horvat also exited in the Last 64.
- Event 2:
- Dragutin Horvat was the sole German player to reach the Last 32, notably defeating former Tour Card holder José de Sousa.
- Oliver Müller and Mika Donnevert each secured £100 in prize money, marking their first earnings of the season.
- Players from Switzerland and Austria, including Rowby-John Rodriguez, Marcel Walpen, and Patrick Tringler, had a disappointing weekend, failing to earn any prize money.
Challenge Tour Order of Merit: Hunt Leads the Pack
Following this thrilling weekend, Joe Hunt has established a significant lead at the top of the Challenge Tour Order of Merit, accumulating £6,100. This year’s increased prize money means a single tournament win, while still valuable, doesn’t carry quite the same weight as before in the overall standings.
Here’s a snapshot of the top contenders and notable German players:
- 1st: Joe Hunt (£6,100) – Dominant leader after two wins.
- 2nd: Martijn Dragt (£3,200) – Climbs significantly after his maiden title.
- 3rd: Tommy Lishman (£3,200) – The previous leader, now tied with Dragt.
- 4th: Scott Waites (£2,000) – Runner-up in Event 2.
- 6th: Jose Justicia – Drops to sixth place.
- 12th: Steve Lennon – Reaches 12th after a semi-final run.
- 23rd: Steve Beaton (£850) – Steady performance.
- 35th: Dragutin Horvat – Best-placed German.
- 43rd: Florian Preis (£500) – Strong showing in Event 1.
- 49th: Daniel Klose – Falls to 49th.
The action continues tomorrow with another Challenge Tour tournament in Milton Keynes, promising more excitement and ranking battles.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
