With just one weekend and five days of sanctioned Vault Break events left to play, the race for places at the ADC Global Championship is heading for a photo finish.
The October 31st cut-off looms large, and with several top-ranked players already securing their Championship berths via other routes, the battle for the remaining spots has thrown the door wide open – even for those a little further down the leaderboard.
Recent belt matches and major results have shuffled the deck once again. What started as four qualifying places has now doubled to eight, thanks to the belt holders’ configuration and Graham Hall’s victory at the Tour Championship Finals, which added another golden ticket to the mix.
The cut now stretches as far as Kurt Parry in 13th, meaning every dart from here on could be worth a fortune in ranking points.
One man nervously watching the leaderboard is Jordan Matthews, the UK & Ireland Classic champion. He’s staring down the prospect of losing 160 points once last season’s national finals roll off the system at month’s end. That drop would leave him level on 740 with Callum Goffin, who currently sits just outside the qualification zone – the darts equivalent of missing double tops for the match.
At the safer end of proceedings, Shane Turner has a healthy 88-point cushion above the danger zone, while fellow contenders Johnny Haines, Adam Mould, Stuart Dutton, Tom Sykes, and current UK No.1 Mike Huntley all look nailed on for a spot in Portsmouth – assuming they avoid any late slips.
So, what we’ve got now is roughly eight players chasing two precious tickets to the big dance. Expect nerves, late-night practice sessions, and maybe a few desperate Google Maps searches for “nearest ADC event this weekend.”
And while we’re talking about the next generation – spare a thought for Kaya Baysal, the 15-year-old sensation who recently smashed Luke Littler’s record to become the youngest-ever WDF senior champion. Sadly, he won’t be old enough to compete in this year’s Global Championship, but make no mistake – he’ll be a serious threat at the Vault National Finals in November at the superb Bradmoor Farm.
As the countdown ticks into its final days, the oches across the country are set for a manic week of arrows, averages, and anxiety. With the richest prize in amateur darts up for grabs, expect last-minute drama, a few heroic runs, and at least one story of a player qualifying by a single leg.
The chase for glory is officially in its final throws – and it’s going to be absolute box office.
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC
Graphic: ADC
