Two legends to overlook World Darts Championship as followers demand ‘wildcard entry’
There will be no farewell tour for Steve Beaton at the PDC World Darts Championship in December after ‘the Bronzed Adonis’ failed to qualify.
In what will be his final season, Beaton, who was world champion back in 1996, had 33 World Championship appearances to his name. Following last year’s tournament, he announced 2024 would be his final season on the PDC Tour.
However, Beaton failed to qualify through the Pro Tour, and lost his first match at the qualifying tournament to Darren Beveridge 6-5, ending his hopes of a World Championship swansong this December.
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And he isn’t the only big name to miss out on qualifying. Jose de Sousa and Simon Whitlock will both miss the upcoming World Darts Championship, which begins on December 15th. De Sousa lost to Rhys Griffin while Whitlock will be absent from the Ally Pally for the first time since 2010.
‘The Wizard’ lost 6-5 to Paul Krohne, while de Sousa fell 6-4 to Rhys Griffin. And the news of Beaton, Whitlock and De Sousa missing the event next month caused a stir on social media.
One fan wrote of Beaton’s absence: “Should have given him a wildcard.” A second commented: “Give Steve a wild card or we riot.”
A third commented: “Definitely in the new era now like. Imagine saying 4 years ago that in 4 years time Whitlock, De Sousa and Beaton wouldn’t be playing in the worlds.”
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A fourth said: “Whitlock & De Sousa have seriously dropped off though. Both were top 20 seeds a few years ago!”
A fifth wrote: “Come on @OfficialPDC, give the fans what we want, staying alive walk on at Ally Pally for the very last time. Give him [Beaton] that Wildcard.” And a sixth said: “De Sousa really had the shortest prime for a major winner.”
