Trio Earn Tour Cards as Smith and Hamilton Claim Challenge Tour titles

Robert Owen and Danny Van Trijp will compete in the 2022/23 World Darts Championship, after finishing 2^nd and 3^rd respectively on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit, with the duo also securing Two-Year PDC Tour Cards, as the PDC’s second-tier tour season concluded in Leicester.

Sunday saw the final two Challenge Tour events of the year take place, with Justin Smith and Andy Hamilton each picking up a £2,000 1^st prize title.

In Event 23, Justin Smith was victorious, as he reached the final by recording victories over David Rosi, Owen Roelofs, Scottie Walters, Francois Schweyen, Gary Blades, Jordan Brooks and Nathan Girvan, to set up a clash with Matthew Dennant.

The final began with four straight holds of throw, before the first break came from Smith in Leg 5 with a 15 darter to move 3-2 ahead. The Welsh thrower then won the following two legs, which saw him seal victory with a 13 darter to pick up a 1^st Challenge Tour crown of his career.

In Event 24, Andy Hamilton was victorious, as the Former World Championship Finalist dropped just 12 legs on route to the final, by recording victories over Marco Custers, Sergio Krassen, Kevin Van Hauwe, Shane McQuirk, Danny Van Trijp and Lee Budgen, to set up a clash with Scott Taylor.

The final began with the pair holding throw in the opening two legs, before Hamilton produced the first break in Leg 3 with a 12 darter. The tie then saw three straight breaks of throw, ending with Taylor pinning a 16 darter to move 4-3 up and within one of victory. Hamilton showed his experience by winning the remaining two legs, finishing off a 14 darter to take the title and pick up his 1^st within the PDC for over eight years.

Elsewhere, the day also saw Scott Williams win the Challenge Tour Order of Merit and seal his place at next month’s Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton. Due to Williams’ already sitting inside the Top 64 of the PDC Order of Merit, Robert Owen and Danny Van Trijp provisionally have secured Two-Year PDC Tour Cards for 2023/24, and also a place at the 2022/23 PDC World Darts Championship. Van Trijp would only secure a Tour Card, should Williams be sat inside the World’s Top 64 come to the end of the World Championship in January.

PDC Winmau Challenge Tour

Event 23

Quarter Finals

Matthew Dennant 5-1 Jeremy Van der Winkel

Scott Taylor 5-2 Ciaran Teehan

Nathan Girvan 5-1 Lee Davies

Justin Smith 5-2 Jordan Brooks

Semi Finals

Matthew Dennant 5-3 Scott Taylor

Justin Smith 5-3 Nathan Girvan

Final

Justin Smith 5-2 Matthew Dennant