Milton Keynes bore witness to a day of attrition, ambition, and unapologetic survival as the 2026 Winmau World Masters Preliminary Rounds detonated into life. One hundred and twenty players arrived at Arena MK with identical intent and only eight invitations available. By nightfall, dreams had been trimmed to their sharpest edge.
A distinctly Dutch accent echoed through the survivors’ enclosure. Wessel Nijman, Niels Zonneveld, and Jimmy van Schie all punched their tickets, turning Wednesday into a statement of continental intent rather than mere qualification.
Nijman emerged as the standard-bearer. The highest-ranked competitor in the preliminary field, the 25-year-old navigated his route with a blend of authority and vengeance. Straight-sets dismissals of Stefan Bellmont and Niko Springer set the tone, before an emphatic response to his World Championship defeat against Gabriel Clemens. Averaging just shy of 106, Nijman reasserted his pedigree and earned himself a mouth-watering first-round confrontation with 2025 finalist Jonny Clayton.
Zonneveld’s path was no less convincing. Clinical early work against Jesus Salate was followed by composed victories over Henry Coates and Kim Huybrechts, the latter dispatched with controlled aggression. His reward? A collision with two-time world champion Gary Anderson, a test of mettle rather than momentum.
For Van Schie, the day carried added significance. Competing in his first PDC ranking event, the reigning WDF Champion announced himself without hesitation. Scalps of Ritchie Edhouse and Scott Williams underlined his fearlessness, capping a qualification run that also included victories over Tytus Kanik, Chris Landman, and Richard Veenstra. Awaiting him next is Ross Smith, another stage entirely.
Elsewhere, James Hurrell continued the vein of form he unveiled at Alexandra Palace, delivering arguably the performance of the day. After dismantling Kai Gotthardt, he produced a staggering 111.33 average in a straight-sets demolition of Joe Cullen, before completing the job against Alan Soutar. The prize for such excellence is severe: Gerwyn Price.
Sweden’s number one, Jeffrey de Graaf, was ruthless throughout, whitewashing Wesley Plaisier, Rhys Griffin and Jack Tweddell to set up a first-round clash with reigning Masters champion Stephen Bunting. Madars Razma also negotiated a treacherous route, overcoming Cor Dekker, Kevin Doets and Krzysztof Ratajski to earn a meeting with former champion James Wade.
The final places were claimed by Connor Scutt and Shane McGuirk. The Sniper combined grit with scoring power, averaging over a ton against Graham Hall, while former Lakeside Champ, Ireland’s McGuirk – fresh from Q-School success – removed Cameron Menzies, Keane Barry and Scott Waites from his path. They will face Josh Rock and Nathan Aspinall respectively.
The casualties were significant. Peter Wright, Michael Smith, Dimitri Van den Bergh, and Beau Greaves all fell short, stark reminders that this format offers no sanctuary, no legacy protection, and no appeal process. From here, the Masters sharpens. Sets. Pressure. £100,000 waiting at the summit. And only eight earned the right to keep climbing.
2026 Winmau World Masters Preliminary Rounds
Wednesday January 28, Arena MK, Milton Keynes
Last 16
Niels Zonneveld 3-1 Kim Huybrechts
Jeffrey de Graaf 3-0 Jack Tweddell
Madars Razma 3-1 Krzysztof Ratajski
Wessel Nijman 3-1 Gabriel Clemens
Shane McGuirk 3-1 Scott Waites
Connor Scutt 3-1 Graham Hall
Jimmy van Schie 3-1 Scott Williams
James Hurrell 3-1 Alan Soutar
2026 Winmau World Masters – Draw Bracket
(1) Luke Littler v Mike De Decker
(16) Ross Smith v Jimmy van Schie
(8) Ryan Searle v Rob Cross
(9) Josh Rock v Connor Scutt
(4) Michael van Gerwen v Damon Heta
(13) Chris Dobey v Jermaine Wattimena
(5) Jonny Clayton v Wessel Nijman
(12) Gerwyn Price v James Hurrell
(2) Luke Humphries v Dave Chisnall
(15) Martin Schindler v Luke Woodhouse
(7) Stephen Bunting v Jeffrey De Graaf
(10) Danny Noppert v Daryl Gurney
(3) Gian van Veen v Ryan Joyce
(14) Nathan Aspinall v Shane McGuirk
(6) Gary Anderson v Niels Zonnerveld
(11) James Wade v Madars Razma
Thursday 29th January 29 (1900 GMT)
Round One
Chris Dobey v Jermaine Wattimena
Gary Anderson v Niels Zonneveld
James Wade v Madars Razma
Nathan Aspinall v Shane McGuirk
Jonny Clayton v Wessel Nijman
Gerwyn Price v James Hurrell
Michael van Gerwen v Damon Heta
Gian van Veen v Ryan Joyce
Friday 30th January 30 (1900 GMT)
Round One – Match Order TBC
Martin Schindler v Luke Woodhouse
Ross Smith v Jimmy van Schie
Danny Noppert v Daryl Gurney
Ryan Searle v Rob Cross
Josh Rock v Connor Scutt
Luke Littler v Mike De Decker
Luke Humphries v Dave Chisnall
Stephen Bunting v Jeffrey de Graaf
Saturday 31st January 31
Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)
Round Two – TBC
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Round Two – TBC
Sunday 1st February
Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)
Quarter-Finals
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Semi-Finals & Final
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC
