Each year PDC Qualifying School assembles a handful of first-time tour card holders, players who realise their dreams and set into motion their impending careers on the professional circuit.
There’s numerous players who have impressed on the Challenge Tour, the Development Tour, the global affiliate tours or the WDF circuit and now attempting to secure professional status for the first time in their careers.
With hundreds of players attempting to emerge victorious in Milton Keynes and Kalkar simultaneously, Ben Hudd has selected five ‘bankers’ and five dark horses to secure debut tour cards in the coming days.
CAMERON CRABTREE
Cameron Crabtree has rapidly developed into one of the sport’s most promising young talents. The 20-year-old from London claimed two Challenge Tour accolades last year and made his raw ability known when stepping up to the ProTour.
Having beaten the likes of Ricardo Pietreczko, Josh Rock and Jose de Sousa in Players Championship events last season, Crabtree has also recorded numerous ton-plus averages in the Modus Super Series and proved that he can be a match for anyone on his given day.
DARRYL PILGRIM
Darryl Pilgrim has commonly been recognised as one of the best players on the planet without professional status, and further evidence towards that was provided when he defeated world champion Michael Smith on the ProTour last season with an average of almost 107.
Pilgrim showcased his scintillating ceiling in the summer, averaging 118.88 and 122.69 in successive matches in the Modus Super Series, but his consistency is equally as encouraging and he regularly records numbers in excess of the 95 mark.
ANDY BAETENS
Andy Baetens needs no explanation. He’s the reigning Lakeside world champion, having consistently averaged around the 94 mark during that tournament, and the Belgian was a winning machine on the WDF circuit last year, clinching titles such as the Denmark, Czech and Croatian Opens.
Baetens took soon-to-be world champion Luke Humphries to a deciding leg on the European Tour in his home country. He was two points away from a tour card twelve months ago, and the standard he’s been persistently producing in recent months makes him a considerable favourite when it comes to securing a tour card this time around.
ALEX SPELLMAN
Alex Spellman’s World Darts Championship debut last month went somewhat unnoticed with all that transpired that same night at Alexandra Palace, although his 95.46 average was just a glimpse of what the North Carolinian is capable of based on his performances on the North American circuit.
Spellman flattered to deceive on his maiden Q School appearance last year in Germany, but his switch to the UK for this year’s edition has started swimmingly and everyone is now paying attention to him as a front runner for a tour card.
He recorded a rolling average of 99.71 on Tuesday as well as three ton-plus averages, only being denied by a tremendous Charlie Martin. It would be a travesty if the American continues to register numbers of that calibre and not secure a tour card.
DOM TAYLOR
Dom Taylor has been knocking on the door since reaching three Development Tour finals in four events almost three years ago, although the standard that he tended to produce appeared to drastically increase towards the backend of last year and his rolling average since September stands at a very respectable 93.24.
Taylor reached his maiden ranking semi-final without a tour card in October, ultimately missing match darts against Ross Smith. His upwards trajectory makes him more equipped to secure professional status than ever before, and the Bristolian will be a welcome addition to the tour should he prevail.
SHANE MCGUIRK
Shane McGuirk is one of the Irish contingent who attracted attention leading up to Qualifying School, having won the double at the WDF Killarney Darts Festival in November whilst producing persistent brilliance and averages in the high 90s throughout.
McGuirk is held in high regard on the Emerald Isle and considered as someone capable of moving onto bigger things. The 28-year-old landed a nine-dart finish at Q School three years ago, and now could be his time to secure a place amongst the world’s best.
SCOTT CAMPBELL
Scott Campbell may not be a recognisable name to many but the Scotsman has been recording extremely promising numbers this week in Milton Keynes, notably averaging 98.04 and 95.16 on Wednesday afternoon before running out of steam in his final match.
Campbell, who is a self-employed plasterer from Aberdeenshire, caught the eye on the Modus Super Series in the summer, averaging 100 on two occasions. He has been around darting circles for a some time nonetheless, having qualified for the World Masters in 2009, but has seemingly took his game to new levels and could sneak onto the professional tour.
FALLON SHERROCK
Having been one point adrift of securing professional status twelve months ago, Fallon Sherrock has another opportunity to fulfil her potential. Her preparation has been more ideal than last time around, with the backend of last season seeing her win four successive PDC Women’s Series titles with improved performances.
The former Women’s World Matchplay champion qualified for the final stage outright on Tuesday, averaging roughly 90 for the day. She notably averaged 96 and 97 in beating Brett Claydon and Ryan Hogarth and upped her game when necessary.
DOMINIK GRUELLICH
Germany is a darting country in desperate need of a young star to emerge and Dominik Gruellich is one of the talents with the capability. The 21-year-old produced back-to-back ton-plus averages on his way to reaching his maiden Development Tour final last year.
This year’s Qualifying School may be a year too soon for the emerging German youngster, who has already qualified for March’s UK Open via the Development Tour, but he undoubtedly has the ability to secure a debut season on tour.
RYUTA ARIHARA
Ryuta Arihara was a name on very few people’s lips ahead of his appearance at European Q School, although the Japanese ace has proved his worth in Germany. The 35-year-old has maintained a steady standard, but also shown that he’s got the levels that could be needed to challenge for a tour card.
Japan’s Arihara was sensational on Tuesday, producing a scintillating 107.93 average against Jody Tobback (98.96) and only being denied by a 117 checkout in a deciding leg in his final match. Having backed up that ton-plus average with a 97.87 in defeat, he could become only the second-ever Japanese tour card holder.
