Darts legend Martin “Wolfie” Adams, a three-time BDO World Champion, remains one of the sport’s great “what if” stories. Known for his unwavering loyalty to the BDO, many wonder how he would have fared in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). This article delves into that hypothetical scenario, arguing that if Adams had switched after his 2007 World Championship win, he would have been a consistent top 10-16 player, a multiple major winner (though likely not a PDC World Champion due to Phil Taylor’s era of dominance), and a formidable competitor whose game would have thrived under the intense PDC pressure. His steadfast commitment to the BDO ultimately defined his career, leaving fans to forever ponder his potential PDC legacy.
The Enduring Question: Martin Adams and the PDC
Martin “Wolfie” Adams is undeniably a giant of darts, a three-time BDO World Champion and three-time World Master who commanded the BDO circuit for years. Yet, a persistent question mark hangs over his illustrious career: how would he have performed in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)? This debate isn’t just about his skill; it’s about loyalty, timing, and the immense pressure of a different competitive landscape.
When Would Wolfie Have Made the Leap?
For this hypothetical journey, we pinpoint a crucial moment: after his monumental 2007 World Final victory over Phil Nixon at Lakeside. It’s almost inconceivable that Adams, with his deep emotional connection to the BDO World Championship, would have switched without first clinching that coveted title. His triumph in 2007 would have provided the ultimate validation and the perfect springboard for a new challenge.
No Stranger to the PDC Stage
Adams wouldn’t have entered the PDC as a complete unknown. In the early days, BDO players could participate in PDC events, giving Wolfie valuable experience against the sport’s elite. He showcased his capabilities by reaching the semi-finals of the World Matchplay in 2001 and the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix in the same year. He even beat Phil Taylor in the final of a non-televised Players Championship event, the 1999 Scania Open. This history confirms he could compete, but the real question is: could he do it consistently, week after week?
At the time of our hypothetical switch in 2007, the PDC was buzzing. Raymond van Barneveld had just made his seismic move from the BDO and dethroned Phil Taylor. Adams would have arrived as a reigning world champion, full of confidence, but also facing formidable rivals like Taylor and his old BDO nemesis, van Barneveld.
Wolfie’s Game: Consistency and Pressure
Adams was renowned for his unwavering consistency. He was a player who typically maintained a 90-96 average, rarely dipping below 90, and occasionally hitting over 100 (with a career high of 110). He excelled under pressure, consistently hitting crucial finishes. His 121 checkout was legendary, almost a signature shot, much like Jonny Clayton’s impressive finishing today. We can compare him to a player like Krzysztof Ratajski today: perhaps not the highest ceiling, but incredibly solid and challenging to beat unless you bring your absolute A-game. As the saying goes, if you play poorly, Wolfie would beat you.
Phil Taylor’s Verdict: A “Multi-Millionaire” Talent
Even Phil Taylor, arguably the greatest darts player of all time, weighed in on Adams’ potential. Taylor believed Adams would have been a “multi-multi millionaire” and a “Top 3” player in the world had he made the switch. And there’s a strong case to agree. When other top BDO talents like Barney, Gary Anderson, and Mark Webster moved to the PDC, Adams became the undisputed king of a smaller pond. He often didn’t need his absolute best game to win BDO titles.
However, in the relentless “pressure cooker” environment of the PDC, constantly facing the world’s best, Adams’ game would have been forced to elevate. His innate ability and competitive spirit suggest he would have risen to this challenge out of sheer necessity.
Predicting PDC Success: What Would Wolfie Have Won?
Predicting exact titles is impossible, but we can make educated guesses by comparing Adams’ prime to the PDC standard of the late 2000s and early 2010s:
-
Floor Tournaments: A Strong Contender
Adams’ consistency and endurance were perfectly suited for the long, gruelling days of non-televised Players Championship events. He would likely have accumulated several floor titles, propelling him up the PDC rankings and ensuring qualification for all major televised tournaments.
-
Televised Majors: A Few Trophies
We envision Adams picking up two or three major titles. The UK Open, with its unique format of random draws and long matches on multiple boards, seems tailor-made for his ability to find form and grind out wins. He could have played his way deep into the tournament on the outer boards before hitting the main stage.
However, winning a major final against Phil Taylor in a long format would have been an immense challenge. Their 2006 International Darts League final demonstrated Taylor’s superiority over longer distances. Adams would likely have accumulated a significant number of runner-up trophies, often losing to Taylor in finals. Much like James Wade, Adams would have been perfectly positioned to “clean up” and win majors when Taylor was unexpectedly knocked out.
-
The World Championship: An Uphill Battle
The PDC World Championship would have been the ultimate test. Adams’ best chance might have been his hypothetical debut at the 2008 World Championship at Alexandra Palace, which John Part famously won. The overall standard that year was considered lower, and Taylor was uncharacteristically faltering. If not then, making semi-finals and finals in later years would be plausible.
However, Adams’ prime coincided with Phil Taylor’s absolute peak in the late 2000s and early 2010s. If even Raymond van Barneveld, at his best, struggled to win titles against Taylor during this period, it’s hard to argue Adams would have fared better. Taylor was, quite simply, borderline unbeatable.
Handling the Crowds: A Non-Issue
A common argument against Adams’ PDC chances was his supposed inability to handle boisterous crowds. While he did react to crowd noise occasionally (e.g., 2015 Dutch Open), his performance at the 2015 Grand Slam of Darts tells a different story. Adams, finally accepting an invitation, had the entire crowd on his side, seemingly revelling in the atmosphere. He was a fan favourite wherever he played, with “Wolfie” chants echoing through venues. Furthermore, consistent exposure to the louder PDC crowds, especially in events like the Premier League (for which he would have been an almost guaranteed pick upon switching), would have quickly accustomed him to the environment.
The Verdict: A PDC Star, Defined by Loyalty
Ultimately, the argument that Martin Adams wasn’t good enough for the PDC simply doesn’t hold water. His results, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure speak volumes. We firmly believe he would have been a fixture in the PDC’s top 10 to top 16 rankings for many years, roughly from 2007 to 2016. His career began to wane as age and arthritis (leading to a “snatch” in his throw) caught up with him around 2015, following his last Lakeside final against Scott Mitchell and an epic semi-final against Glen Durrant.
This remains a hypothetical debate, of course. Adams wouldn’t have been “Wolfie” if he hadn’t prioritized his unwavering loyalty to the BDO officials and his role as England Captain over the potentially massive financial rewards of the PDC. It was a hugely honourable and admirable decision, one that most in his position might not have made. Yet, it leaves us with an endlessly fascinating “what if” – a selfish wish that we could have witnessed Wolfie battling it out in the PDC week in, week out.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
