The race for professional darts tour cards is heating up at Q-School 2026! In Milton Keynes, Welshman Rhys Griffin and Australian newcomer Adam Leek have already secured their spots, with Leek causing a stir with impressive victories. Meanwhile, at the European Q-School in Kalkar, Germany, local hero Arno Merk and Poland’s Filip Bereza fought their way to tour cards, highlighted by Bereza’s incredible comeback. Many big names are still battling it out, promising more drama over the remaining days.
Milton Keynes: New Faces and Familiar Fights
The first day of Q-School in Milton Keynes saw two players successfully reclaim or earn their coveted professional tour cards. Welsh talent Rhys Griffin wasted no time, rejoining the tour at the very first opportunity. He is joined by a truly remarkable story: Australian Adam Leek. Largely unknown outside his home country, Leek proved he belongs on the big stage.
Leek’s path to a tour card was anything but easy, requiring immense determination. He delivered significant upsets, claiming crucial wins against seasoned veteran Steve Beaton and the highly-touted young prospect Tyler Thorpe. Many pundits had tipped Thorpe as a strong contender to secure his card early, making Leek’s victories even more impactful.
How Q-School Works: Two Paths to a Tour Card
The Q-School system offers two distinct routes for players to earn a tour card:
- Daily Winners: Any player who wins their respective day’s knockout tournament automatically secures a tour card.
- Order of Merit: For those who don’t win a daily event, consistency is key. Points are awarded based on performance throughout the four playing days, forming a “mini-order of merit.” The highest-ranked players on this list at the end of Q-School also earn tour cards.
Beyond the immediate winners, several prominent names have made strong starts, positioning themselves well on the order of merit. These include former BDO World Champions Scott Waites and John Henderson, alongside the aforementioned Steve Beaton. Currently, Tyler Thorpe leads the pack on leg difference, indicating his strong overall performance despite not winning the first day.
With three more days of intense competition ahead, none of these players can afford to relax; the fight for a tour card is far from over.
Kalkar: European Dreams Take Flight
Across the continent, Kalkar, Germany, hosted a slightly larger version of Q-School 2026, where European hopefuls battled for their professional futures. The first day brought immense joy for two players.
Germany’s new darting sensation, Arno Merk, delighted the home crowd by securing his tour card. He is joined by Polish player Filip Bereza, whose journey to a tour card was nothing short of miraculous.
Bereza found himself in a dire situation, trailing Jeffrey de Zwaan 1-5 in a crucial match. However, he mounted an incredible comeback, surviving multiple match darts against him to eventually win the encounter. This stunning display of resilience secured his place on the tour.
Despite the loss, Jeffrey de Zwaan has made an excellent start and currently tops the overall order of merit in Kalkar. Close behind him, and also making strong bids for tour cards, are notable players such as Andreas Harrysson, Jimmy van Schie, and Jeffrey Sparidaans.
Another player generating interest is Mason Whitlock, who is competing in the absence of his famous father, Simon Whitlock. Mason is a few points back but remains firmly in contention as he heads into the second day of action, aiming to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
