A thrilling day at PDC Q-School saw a surge of success for German darts players, with Yorick Hofkens and Matthias Ehlers both securing their coveted Tour Cards. They join Arno Merk, marking a significant achievement for German darts. Meanwhile, Dutch WDF World Champion Jimmy van Schie also earned his place on the tour through the ranking list. In the UK, Shane McGuirk and Tom Sykes battled through intense competition to claim their Tour Cards, setting the stage for a dramatic final day as other hopefuls fight for the remaining spots.
European Q-School Sees German Dominance
The European Q-School delivered an exceptional day for German darts, with no less than seven players reaching the last 16. By the end of the day, both daily winners hailed from Germany: Yorick Hofkens and Matthias Ehlers, securing their professional Tour Cards.
Matthias Ehlers: A Masterclass in Consistency
For the 44-year-old Matthias Ehlers, his Tour Card was virtually secured even before the quarter-finals. Having accumulated valuable points on the first two days, he continued his strong form. Despite surviving a match dart on the bullseye in his opening game, Ehlers went on to deliver dominant performances, including a 6-0 whitewash and a crucial 6-1 victory over “Ron The Bomb” Ron Meulenkamp with an impressive 91 average. He then defeated Pal Szekely by the same score and, in a nail-biting deciding leg in the final, denied Belgium’s Lennert Faes a direct path to the Tour.
Yorick Hofkens: The Unlikeliest of Victories
Yorick Hofkens’ path to the Tour Card was equally dramatic, though with a different dynamic. His final opponent, Jimmy van Schie, had already amassed enough points (11) to secure his Tour Card via the ranking list, meaning Hofkens played for the daily win. In a similarly tense match, Hofkens staged a comeback, winning 6-5 with crucial 13 and 17-dart legs, reportedly surviving a match dart himself. This victory is particularly surprising given that he had almost categorically ruled out a professional career last year. His journey included turning around a 4-5 deficit against Brian Raman and decisive wins against Martin Homola, Rainer Sturm, and a brilliant 12-dart decider against Jeroen Caron. He ultimately stopped Pascal Rupprecht with a 6-4 win in the quarter-finals.
Jimmy van Schie: Ranking List Success
Dutch WDF World Champion Jimmy van Schie secured his Tour Card through the ranking list. His day was a testament to resilience, navigating an incredibly tough section of the draw. He defeated Benjamin Pratnemer 6-5 with a stunning 103 average and overcame Alexander Merkx, who himself had posted a three-figure average earlier. Van Schie solidified his Tour Card in the last 16 with a 6-4 win over Daniel Klose, before cruising into the final with a 6-2 victory against Chris Landman.
The Race Continues for Others
While Hofkens, Ehlers, and van Schie celebrated, the battle intensifies for many others.
Marvin Kraft and Michael Unterbuchner, both Germans, continued to score points, though neither made a deep run today. They are in provisional Tour Card positions, with Kraft on 7 points and Unterbuchner on 6. Unterbuchner’s strong leg difference could be a vital asset on the final day. Other German hopefuls still in the mix include:
- Daniel Klose (4 points after reaching the last 16)
- Pascal Rupprecht (4 points after reaching the quarter-finals)
- Björn Quoiffy (4 points)
- Jarod Becker, Finn Behrens, and Joachim Duerbeck (all reached the last 16, needing a big Sunday)
Several established international players faced setbacks, including Swedish World Championship quarter-finalist Andreas Harrysson, Michele Turetta, Canadian World Championship participant David Cameron, and Day 1 finalist Jeffrey de Zwaan, all remaining on 5 points. The final day promises immense drama, as behind ranking leader van Schie (11 points), eight players are tied on 7 points – exactly the number of Tour Cards still available via the ranking list. For many, it’s a “must-not-lose” situation.
UK Q-School: New Faces Join the Tour
Over in Milton Keynes, two prominent names secured their Tour Cards, adding to the professional circuit.
Shane McGuirk: From Challenger to Card Holder
Shane McGuirk, the 2024 WDF World Champion, has frequently featured in Pro Tour events as a reserve, but now officially joins the elite 128 Tour Card holders. The Irishman had an exceptional day, consistently averaging over 90. He overcame seasoned players like Henry Coates, Ted Evetts (surviving a huge scare where Evetts missed 40 for the win in two visits), and Adam Hunt in the early rounds. From the third round onwards, McGuirk was unstoppable, dropping only five legs in four matches, including a commanding 6-2 victory over World Championship quarter-finalist Charlie Manby in the final.
Tom Sykes: Rising Through the Ranks
Tom Sykes, a familiar face from the Modus Super Series, also realized his potential. After strong wins against Harrison Leigh, Harry Ward, and Andrew Cass, Sykes elevated his game from the last 16, posting two 100+ averages to dispatch Tommy Morris (6-2) and Llew Bevan (6-0). In the final against Stephen Burton, Sykes initially missed darts for a 5-0 lead, making the end a tense 6-4 finish. For Burton, who lost his Tour Card recently, this strong performance puts him in prime position to reclaim it, leading the UK ranking list with 10 points.
The UK Ranking Battle
Behind Burton, a mix of lesser-known names and former Tour Card holders are vying for the remaining spots:
- David Sharp (9 points after a quarter-final run)
- Sam Spivey (8 points)
- A group of players on 7 points, including former Tour Card holders Harry Ward and Steve Lennon, alongside hopefuls like Derek Coulson, Robbie Martin, and Thomas Cromwell.
Some big names faced early exits, including Steve Beaton (first-round loss, 4 points), John Henderson (5 points), Mervyn King (5 points), and Jamie Hughes (5 points), all of whom will need strong performances on Sunday.
A Nine-Darter and Other Near Misses
England’s George Killington achieved the rare feat of a nine-dart finish but ultimately lost in Round 3, leaving him with 6 points and just outside the Tour Card places. Similarly, Ireland’s Stephen Rosney, who was high up yesterday, dropped down after an early loss. Jack Aldridge, a discovery of this Q-School, also sits on 6 points despite an impressive 107 average in his opening match, followed by a surprising 1-6 loss with a 94 average.
The Final Day Awaits
The fourth and final day of the Q-School Final Stage will commence on Sunday at 13:00 CET, with players battling it out for the remaining Tour Cards. Expect more thrilling darts and emotional moments as dreams are realized and shattered.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
