This Week In Darts – 24th Of March 2024

TOURNAMENT WINS

Dave Chsinall claimed his 17th Pro Tour title earlier this week following a win over Dirk van Duijvenbode at Players Championship 6 on Tuesday. Additionally, Chisnall threw the highest average of the event in his match against Dom Taylor with an impressive 112.02.

Behind Chisnall, Irishmen William O’Connor threw an average of 109.48, which was strong enough to earn him the second-highest average of the day. Daryl Gurney picked up the #3 spot with 108.65 with Brendan Dolan next on the list with an admirable 108.42.

Rounding out the Top 5 of the event was Dom Taylor with 104.78, while Michael van Gerwen took the sixth slot with an average of 104.75.

PLAYER INSIGHTS

Earlier this year, England’s Luke Humphries defeated teenage sensation Luke Littler 7-4 in a gripping final at Alexandra Palace that earned him his first ever PDC World Championship title.

While Littler had hoped to become the youngest ever world champ following a remarkable run to the final, it was pre-event favourite Humphries who would end up walking away with first prize.

“I could not put into words how great this feels,” Humphries later told Sky Sports. “In the back of my mind throughout today, I was thinking ‘get this one now because he’s going to dominate world darts soon’. He’s an incredible player. When I was on the brink of winning there, he was relentless.”

Interestingly, the champ feels that Littler is one of two darts stars who could stop him right now.

Following his third successive win in the Premier League on Thursday night, Humphries admitted that both Littler and Dutchman Michael van Gerwen are two rivals out there whom he feels could very well bring an end to his incredible hot streak.

“I am not arrogant at all,” he explains. “But, I feel like if I play my ‘A’ game, there are only a couple of people who can test me in that manner. I think Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen are the two that can push me and their ‘A’ level can beat me.”

“I feel like I am playing the best darts in the world,” he concludes. Especially in the past six or seven months consistently. But there are so many great players and anything can happen every week.”

A rather refreshing perspective from the World No1 to be sure.

PLAYER INJURIES

Gary Anderson decided to abandon his match against Martin Schindler at Players Championship 6 on Tuesday due to a shoulder injury.

Anderson had reached the final of the fifth Players Championship the previous day before losing to Raymond van Barneveld in a rather close encounter. The match with Schindler stayed level at 3-3 for a time, however Anderson appeared to be in some discomfort as the tie went on.

Near the start of the seventh leg, Anderson hit three single 20s, but groaned in agony after throwing his third dart. He then approached the referee, informing the official that he could no longer continue. The match was capped with Anderson informing his opponent of the decision and the pair shaking hands before Anderson made a quick exit from the venue.

This gave the 27-year-old Schindler a walkover victory into the quarter-finals, where he would lose 6-2 to Dave Chisnall, who would go on to win the tournament following a win over Dirk van Duijvenbode.

MAJOR TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Scotland’s own Peter Wright found himself back in the winner’s circle earlier this year after beating Dave Chisnall in a rather thrilling finale to the Czech Darts Open.

Wright ended his title drought in style on the final day at the Gambrinus Czech Darts Open in Prague, which culminated in an 8-6 win over Dave Chisnall in the final.

The victory saw Wright claim his eighth European Tour title, tying him with Gerwyn Price. The £30,000 prize also sees him return to second on the PDC Order Of Merit above Michael van Gerwen.

“Wow – I won!” smiled an emotional Wright after the tournament back in May. “Chizzy has won three in about six months so it’s always going to be hard playing him.”

“To win tournaments you need these ton-plus averages. My averages will go up and they need to go up, because the standard of player around at the moment is unbelievable and it’s great for darts.”

The PDC European Tour returns May 26th to 28th with the Interwetten European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen, which will see some 48 players compete across three days.