Daniel Klose Victorious as PDC Europe Next Gen Debuts Revolutionary ‘170’ Darts Format
Ried im Innkreis, Austria, witnessed a significant moment in darts history as the PDC Europe Next Gen series introduced its groundbreaking “170” tournament format. In a thrilling debut, it was the formidable Daniel Klose who emerged as the champion, securing his third title of the year with an astonishingly dominant 11-0 victory over Jaimy van de Weerd in the final. This new format, set to become a fixture in the 2026 Next-Gen season, challenges players to achieve a 170 checkout in as few as three darts, promising an exciting new dimension to competitive darts.
Understanding the Game-Changing ‘170’ Format
The “170” game mode represents a bold new addition to the PDC Europe Next Gen calendar for the 2026 season. Unlike traditional 501 darts, the objective here is singular and intense: to finish a leg by hitting a 170 checkout. This specific checkout requires hitting Triple 20, Triple 20, and the Bullseye (50 points), and can theoretically be achieved in a mere three darts.
This format shifts the focus dramatically from accumulating high scores to precision finishing. Players often practice 170 checkouts, but competing under pressure is a different challenge. Crucially, in this mode, if an opponent finishes a leg with a 170, there’s no “shame” in still being on your starting score, as the game isn’t about reducing points from 501.
- Key Features of the ‘170’ Format:
- Objective: Be the first to complete a 170 checkout (T20, T20, Bullseye).
- Speed: Legs can be won in just 3 darts.
- Focus: Emphasizes high-pressure finishing over scoring.
The tournament saw an impressive display of skill, with 51 out of 176 participants successfully hitting a perfect 170 leg. In total, over sixty 170 checkouts were recorded throughout the event, highlighting the players’ mastery of this challenging finish. Interestingly, none of these spectacular finishes were broadcast live, a point noted by commentators and tournament officials.
Daniel Klose’s Unstoppable March to Victory
Once again, Daniel Klose proved to be the player to beat. “Dan the Man” steadily improved throughout the day, becoming virtually unstoppable from the Last 32 stage onwards. His performance was nothing short of remarkable, boasting an incredible 51:12 leg record in the latter stages of the competition.
The final against Jaimy van de Weerd was a testament to Klose’s dominance. He delivered a stunning 11-0 whitewash, leaving van de Weerd with no opportunities to check out. Klose’s ability to consistently hit the demanding 170 checkout under pressure was a key factor in his commanding performance.
While averages often dictate performance in other formats, their significance was somewhat diminished in the ‘170’ mode. Nevertheless, Klose’s 82 average in the Last 16 was a standout, indicating he was consistently finishing legs in just two visits. His path to the final included decisive 10-3 victories over fellow Next-Gen champions Marcel Hausotter and Patrick Tringler, and a 10-4 win against Tim Scholz in the semi-finals, where he quickly established a 6-1 lead.
Jaimy van de Weerd’s Resilient Run
Despite the final defeat, Jaimy van de Weerd showcased a strong and resilient performance throughout the tournament. His journey included an early-round match against his father, John van de Weerd, which Jaimy won 8-2. He consistently hit averages above 80 and demonstrated remarkable composure under pressure.
A highlight of van de Weerd’s run was his Last 16 encounter against Marcel Walpen, where he mounted a dramatic comeback from an 8-3 deficit, eventually winning after a tense exchange of match darts. He then went on to defeat Mika Donnevert and Carsten Hoffmann, both with a score of 10-5, to secure his spot in the final.
Other Notable Performances and Ranking Shifts
The tournament also saw several other players make significant impacts:
- Carsten Hoffmann reached his second semi-final of the season, solidifying his position in the Top 10 rankings.
- Mika Donnevert showed improved form by reaching his second quarter-final of the weekend.
- Tim Scholz had his first major run of the year, reaching the semi-finals and re-entering contention for a spot in the prestigious Super League.
- Other quarter-finalists, including Kevin Troppmann, Kimi Seemann, and Marcel Hausotter, are also vying for Super League qualification.
- Florian Preis, already secured for the Super League, experienced an uncharacteristically early exit.
In the overall rankings, Daniel Klose has now climbed to the top spot, overtaking the absent Paul Krohne. Jaimy van de Weerd’s strong showing propelled him to 3rd place, moving past Florian Preis. Tim Scholz’s semi-final appearance boosted him to 25th.
Prize Money and Bonuses
The tournament offered substantial prize money and unique bonuses tailored to the ‘170’ format:
Prize Money Breakdown:
- Winner: €1,500
- Runner-Up: €750
- Semi-Finals: €400
- Quarter-Finals: €250
- Last 16: €150
- Last 32: €100
- Last 64: €50
The total prize fund for the event was €8,450.
Special Bonuses:
Given the nature of the “170” format, bonuses for high checkouts were frequently claimed, while those for high scores were less common.
- Leg Bonuses:
- 9-Darter: €99
- 10-Darter: €8
- 11-Darter: €5
- 12-Darter: €3
- 13-15-Darter: €1
- Checkout Bonuses:
- 161-170 Checkout: €3
- 131-160 Checkout: €2
- 101-130 Checkout: €1
- Score Bonuses:
- 171, 174, 177, 180: €1
Tournament Structure at a Glance
The PDC Europe Next Gen tournaments follow a structured format:
- League Phase (if 257+ participants, max 384):
- Three rounds, random opponents.
- All games “Best of 4 Legs” (or “Best of 8 Legs” for ‘170’ mode).
- Points awarded for final table.
- Top 128 players qualify for the subsequent KO-Phase (1st vs 128th, 2nd vs 127th, etc.).
- If an odd number of players, the top-ranked player from the PDC Europe Next Gen Main Order of Merit receives a bye (counted as a 4-0 win, completing their three group games).
- Group Stage: Best of 9 Legs.
- KO-Phase (up to Quarter-Finals): Best of 15 Legs.
- Quarter-Finals: Best of 15 Legs.
- Semi-Finals: Best of 15 Legs.
- Final: Best of 21 Legs.
What’s Next for PDC Europe Next Gen?
The PDC Europe Next Gen series will return to Ried im Innkreis next weekend, promising more thrilling darts action. The upcoming events will feature the “FA Cup” and “Master Out” formats, offering different challenges and excitement for the players and fans.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
