Jack Tweddell delivered a masterclass performance at PDC Challenge Tour Event 5, securing an emphatic 5-1 victory over Steve Lennon in the final. This win not only doubled his career Challenge Tour titles and earned him the £2,500 top prize but also propelled him to third in the Order of Merit, significantly boosting his chances for a coveted PDC Tour Card and a spot in the World Darts Championship.
Tweddell’s Dominant Display Secures Second Career Title
Thirty-year-old Jack Tweddell showcased incredible form at the fifth event of the 2026 PDC Challenge Tour. His decisive 5-1 win over Ireland’s Steve Lennon in the final was the culmination of a stellar day, marking his second career Challenge Tour title. This impressive victory earned him the £2,500 top prize and saw him leap to third place in the PDC Challenge Tour Order of Merit, a crucial step towards achieving his professional darts aspirations.
The Road to Victory: Tweddell’s Unbeaten Path
Tweddell’s journey to the final was far from easy, featuring both comfortable wins and nail-biting finishes:
- He began with straightforward victories against Ronan McDonagh and Belgium’s Brian Raman.
- A challenging encounter followed against Poland’s Radek Szaganski, a former PDC Players Championship winner, which Tweddell narrowly won in a deciding leg.
- He then dispatched Willie Borland with a convincing 5-1 scoreline.
- Perhaps his most impressive win came against Joe Hunt, who was aiming for his third Challenge Tour title of the weekend. Tweddell overturned a 4-3 deficit to prevail 5-4 in a last-leg shootout, boasting an exceptional 99.4 average.
- The Swindon star continued his charge, securing a 5-3 win over Steve Hine in the quarter-finals.
- In the semi-finals, he faced a spirited Jimmy Bristow, surviving two match darts to clinch another hard-fought victory.
Lennon’s Impressive Run to the Final
Despite ultimately falling to Tweddell, Irishman Steve Lennon had an outstanding tournament. He displayed remarkable consistency, dropping only 11 legs across his eight matches en route to the final. His path included significant victories over players like Jarred Cole, David ‘Stretch’ Evans, Graham Hall, and a strong 5-2 win against the promising teenager Henry Coates in the semi-final.
Shocks and Standouts: Other Notable Performances
The event also saw some unexpected turns and strong individual performances:
- Graham Hall’s elimination in the quarter-finals was a surprise, especially after he posted exceptional averages of 106.64 and 106.56 in his dominant early victories over Robbie Martin and Carl Wilson.
- Following the first five events of the 2026 PDC Challenge Tour, Joe Hunt currently leads the Order of Merit, thanks to his two earlier victories.
- He is closely followed by Event 4 winner Martijn Dragt in second place.
- Event 5 finalists Tweddell and Lennon now hold third and fourth positions respectively.
- Event 1 winner Tommy Lishman completes the top five.
The Stakes: What the PDC Challenge Tour Means for Darts Careers
The PDC Challenge Tour serves as a vital pathway for aspiring darts professionals. It is open to any player who competed in the 2026 Qualifying School but did not secure a coveted PDC Tour Card. The rewards for success on this tour are substantial:
- The top two players from the final 2026 PDC Challenge Tour Order of Merit will earn a prestigious PDC Tour Card for 2027-2028, granting them access to all PDC ProTour events.
- Furthermore, the top three players will also gain automatic qualification for the highly anticipated 2026/27 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, the sport’s biggest stage.
Looking Ahead: Challenge Tour Returns in March
Darts fans won’t have to wait long for more action! The PDC Challenge Tour is set to return for another exciting weekend. Events 6-10 will take place from March 27th to 29th at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena, promising another bumper schedule of high-stakes darts.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
