Darts’ longest Tour Card holders – together with stars who did not make Ally Pally
Darts is in impolite well being, and it’s not simply due to the Luke Littler impact.
The PDC Tour has arguably by no means been stronger as it’s suffering from expertise from high to backside, making the annual battle for a card at Q-School so fascinating to comply with. Some large names have dropped off the tour in recent times whereas others, together with Fallon Sherrock, are nonetheless ready to affix the 128-player celebration which circumnavigates Europe.
Many gamers have stood the check of time by being long-term holders of PDC Tour playing cards. Many of the Tour’s longest servants want no introduction – mega-stars like Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith.
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However, there are different large names who you might have forgotten nonetheless have Tour Cards, and a few of them missed out on the current Paddy Power World Championship.
Seventeen gamers have held a Tour Card yearly because the present system’s inception in 2011. They are: Gary Anderson, Steve Beaton, Dave Chisnall, Joe Cullen, Brendan Dolan, Van Gerwen, Mervyn King, Adrian Lewis, Mickey Mansell, Michael Smith, Mensur Suljovic, William O’Connor, Vincent van der Voort, James Wade, Ian White, Simon Whitlock and Peter Wright.
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(Image: LAWRENCE LUSTIG)
Raymond van Barneveld solely missed out throughout his ‘retirement’ 12 months in 2020, with Keegan Brown, Kim Huybrechts and Ross Smith every holding Tour Cards since 2012. Ricky Evans and Daryl Gurney have been PDC gamers since 2013.
Going again additional, of gamers who’ve stayed within the high 64, Beaton, 59, has had a tour card for an unbelievable 23 years, though 2024 is about to be his final as a full-time skilled, a choice he introduced at Ally Pally.
(Image: GETTY)
Next are World Championship quarter-finalist Dolan, 50, (22 years), James Wade, 40, and Adrian Lewis, 38, (each 20 years). The latter, a two-time world champion, missed Ally Pally as he enjoys an prolonged break from the sport.
A variety of tour veterans merely didn’t qualify, together with Suljovic, 51, and Van der Voort, 48, (each 17 years). Meanwhile, comparative children Michael Smith, 33, and Joe Cullen, 34, have each held their playing cards for a powerful 16 years.
