In a stunning turn of events, two-time semi-finalist Daryl Gurney has failed to qualify for the prestigious World Matchplay darts tournament, marking his first absence from the event since 2015. Despite holding a qualification spot just days before the deadline, Gurney’s hopes were dashed by two consecutive first-round exits, allowing rival Dave Chisnall to dramatically snatch the final place on the ProTour Order of Merit. This unexpected outcome highlights a significant dip in form for the former major winner, raising questions about his future trajectory in the sport.
The Dramatic Final Days: How It Unfolded
Daryl Gurney, known as ‘Super Chin’, entered the final Players Championship events of the season with a provisional qualification spot for the World Matchplay. He only needed a few solid results to secure his place at the iconic Winter Gardens stage. However, what followed was a series of unfortunate performances that completely derailed his campaign.
- Two Back-to-Back First-Round Exits: Gurney suffered consecutive defeats in the opening rounds of the crucial Players Championship tournaments. Both losses were decided in the final leg, adding to the heartbreak.
- Dave Chisnall’s Timely Surge: While Gurney faltered, Dave Chisnall, nicknamed ‘Chizzy’, found a vital boost. He reached the semi-finals at Players Championship 22, narrowly losing to eventual winner Cameron Menzies. This strong run brought him within striking distance of Gurney.
- The Opening: Gurney’s subsequent first-round defeat to Latvia’s Madars Razma opened the door wide for Chisnall.
- Chisnall Seizes the Opportunity: Needing just one win to overtake Gurney, Chisnall secured a crucial 6-4 victory over Greg Ritchie. Despite an uncharacteristically low average of 79.10, the win was enough to move him above Gurney and claim the final provisional qualification spot.
For Chisnall, this meant his qualification fate was back in his own hands, with a further run to the semi-finals guaranteeing his spot regardless of other results.
A Steep Decline: Gurney’s Recent Struggles
The missed opportunity will undoubtedly sting Gurney, especially considering his comfortable position just a few months prior. Only two months ago, the Northern Irishman was sitting 11th in the qualification standings, boasting a significant £14,000 lead over Chisnall, who was then down in 19th place.
Since then, Gurney’s performance on the ProTour circuit has taken a severe downturn. He has struggled to find any consistent form:
- 14 Consecutive Early Exits: Gurney has failed to progress beyond the last 32 in an astonishing 14 consecutive Players Championship events, a streak dating back to Players Championship Nine.
- Frequent First and Second Round Knockouts: This difficult period includes five first-round exits and three second-round defeats.
The last time Gurney managed to go beyond the last 32 at a Players Championship event was at Players Championship Eight, where his run also ended swiftly in the following round against Sebastian Bialecki.
His struggles haven’t been limited to the ProTour. Gurney has also failed to make deep runs in this year’s televised majors, exiting in the second round of the World Championship, reaching the last 32 at the World Masters, and making the last 16 at the UK Open.
The Impact and What Comes Next
Missing out on the World Matchplay for the first time in nearly a decade marks a painful moment in Gurney’s recent career struggles. This comes after a hopeful period last year when he helped Northern Ireland win the World Cup of Darts title, a success many believed could be a springboard for him to challenge for major titles once again.
While this setback is significant, it could also serve as a crucial turning point. This painful moment might just be the spark Gurney needs to rediscover the form that once made him one of the most dangerous and consistent players on the professional darts circuit.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
