Merkx and Scutt Rise to the Challenge

Alexander Merkx and Connor Scutt were victorious on Friday, in winning Challenge Tour Events 16 & 17 respectively, as the PDC’s second tier tour weekend commenced at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes.

Merkx, who reached a Challenge Tour final during his 2023 campaign, went a step further in Event 16, as he reached the final firstly by recording victories against Gabriel Rollo, Lewis Pride, Coni Singh Nagi, Sebastian Bialecki, Martin Grearson and Carl Wilson, to set up a clash with compatriot, Wesley Plaisier.

The final began with two straight breaks of throw between the pair, before Merkx won back-to-back legs in 15 and 19 darts respectively to move 3-1 ahead in a race to five. The tie then saw four straight holds of throw, which led to Merkx sealing the victory in Leg Eight with a 14 darter and a 5-3 success to pick up a maiden PDC title as well as the £2,500 top prize.

In Event 17, Connor Scutt was victorious, with the Former Tour Card Holder reaching the final firstly by recording victories against Rene Eidams, Gethyn Bennett, Ultan McDyer, Ted Evetts, Adam Lipscombe, Darius Labanauskas and Carl Wilson, to set up a clash with compatriot, Tom Sykes.

Nothing separated the pair in the early stages of the final, with four straight holds of throw, ending with Scutt hitting back-to-back 15 dart legs to move 4-2 ahead and within one of victory. Sykes did pull one leg back, before ‘The Sniper’ sealed a 5-3 victory in Leg Eight with an 18 darter to pick up a second Challenge Tour title of the year.

PDC Winmau Challenge Tour weekend concludes on Saturday, with Events 18 & 19 taking place in Milton Keynes, with play commencing at 10:00 BST, as all live scores and results can be viewed at tv.dartconnect.com.