After the drama of the UK Open, the PDC boys get back down to the nuts and bolts of the business as they head to Barnsley for two Pro Tour events this weekend, although with a couple of major players notable by their absence.
There will be no Phil Taylor or Raymond van Barneveld appearing at the Barnsley Metrodome, and that will only add to the feeling that anyone can win these competitions at the minute, and there will be a lot of people thinking they can.
The focus of the Pro Tour events is now to qualify for the World Matchplay in Blackpool and the European Championships in Dusseldorf. It’s all about how much money you can accumulate before these events as the World top 16 qualify automatically, and more importantly for most, the top 32 from the Players Championship Order of Merit qualify and are seeded.
The Players Championship Order of Merit is a pretty tight affair as the top players don’t’ always compete, and with £6,000 on offer for the winner in both events in South Yorkshire there can be huge movements in the standings. Just £2,000 separates 23rd to 49th so there is everything to play for around the number 32 mark.
The bizarre nature of the standings is epitomised by the three players in joint 46th position which are, UK Open Champion James Wade, quarter-finalist Robert Thornton and Steve Beaton, all players very capable of winning the tournaments.
As far as big movers go I’m backing youth to perform as three exciting talents in Joe Cullen, Reece Robinson and Arron Monk all sit way back in joint 103rd place, having picked up just £400. A run to the quarter-finals alone will bank you a cool £1000 and will shoot you up the rankings, and I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these whippersnappers could pull that off.
It’s hard to say sometimes who will continue their good form after a big tournament, especially going into a much smaller one. Wade should do well, but to pick out two that impressed in Bolton that I expect to perform in Barnsley I would say Dave Chisnall and Mark Webster. They will both have been pleased with their performance at the UK Open, and if one of them wins an event this weekend I won’t be surprised.
Picking one player to shine above all though, I fancy Gary Anderson to put his Bolton disappointment behind him and pick up another victory this weekend. He has been incredible in the floor tournaments this year and will have been hurting after such an early exit last week. If he’s not in at least one final I will be very surprised.
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