The iconic Blackpool Tower will soon loom on the horizon for 32 players as the race to the World Matchplay enters its final stretch. With just two Players Championship events remaining – both taking place in Leicester – it promises to be a nervy couple of days at the Mattioli Arena.
Many players, of course, are already guaranteed their spots. The top names on the main Order of Merit are as safe as houses – luxury beachfront ones, in fact. Perhaps the most notable potential shift among them is Josh Rock possibly leapfrogging Danny Noppert into the sixteenth seeded position.
The Freeze wouldn’t miss out entirely – his high Pro Tour ranking has that covered – but it could mean a far trickier opening round. Think less deck chair, more electric chair.
But it’s on that aforementioned Pro Tour Order of Merit where things start to get spicy. Anyone down to about tenth place shouldn’t be losing sleep – Andrew Gilding is currently sitting there and, as we know, he doesn’t worry about much anyway.
The real tension begins with Ryan Joyce, who currently clings to the final qualifying spot with 71.75 (that’s £1000 per unit). Just below him? A certain Michael Smith. Yes, Bully Boy is at risk of missing the Matchplay for the first time since 2013. That’s the same year Frozen came out – and right now, Michael might wish he had Elsa’s icy composure.
Smith sits on 67.5, around four grand short of Joyce. Not far behind him are Krzysztof Ratajski (65), reigning European Champion Richie Edhouse (64), and Niels Zonneveld (63) – all close enough to mount a charge with one decent run. A final appearance nets £10k, while a title win bags £15k – and that could turn the whole table on its head.
There are, quite literally, too many permutations to calculate. And trust me, I’ve tried. But if I were Ryan Joyce – or even Raymond van Barneveld or Luke Woodhouse, both hovering just above the drop – I’d be aiming to stick a good few grand on the board on Tuesday 8th July and make things a bit less stressful because Wednesday is judgement day.
Expect nervous glances at Darts Connect, some awkward pacing, and more than a few players quietly willing others to lose. Which they won’t admit. And shouldn’t do. But absolutely will.
The World Matchplay remains one of the most coveted prizes in the sport – and only 32 can make it. As it stands, about half a dozen are sweating more than they will under the heat of the Winter Gardens stage lights.
Great fun for the neutral. Absolute torture for everyone else.
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC (Winter Gardens N/A)
