Three Blackpool Spots Still Up For Grabs

Kyle Anderson (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

THREE places in the Betfred World Matchplay are still up for grabs ahead of the Czech Darts Open this weekend.

The first European Tour in Prague will be the final ranking tournament before the cut-off for the World Matchplay, with the prestigious event featuring a 32-player field to be confirmed on Sunday.

The top 16 players from the PDC Order of Merit will qualify by right and are seeded for the Blackpool event - and with Adrian Lewis more than £25,000 clear of Joe Cullen, the top 16 are now confirmed.

They are joined by 16 qualifiers from the one-year ProTour Order of Merit - from which 13 places are now secure from the current provisional standings.

However, Vincent van der Voort, James Wilson and Kyle Anderson - who all missed out on qualification for the Czech Darts Open - could find their involvement in the World Matchplay under threat this weekend.

Australia's Anderson is the most vulnerable on £32,750, with Wilson (£34,750) and Van der Voort (£35,000) currently ahead of him in the standings.

A total of 11 players involved in the Czech Darts Open can still break into the qualifcation places, although seven would be required to take the £25,000 top prize if they were to cause a sensational.

Keegan Brown needs only to reach round two to move above Anderson and into a qualification spot - although that itself could come under threat depending on other results.

World Cup finalist William O'Connor must reach the quarter-finals, with Ron Meulenkamp and Steve West needing a run to the semi-finals if they are to grab a World Matchplay place.

In addition, Jamie Hughes, Ted Evetts, Robert Thornton, Brendan Dolan, Justin Pipe, Rowby-John Rodriguez and Madars Razma must win the Czech Darts Open if they are to reach Blackpool.

The Betfred World Matchplay will be held from July 20-28 at The Winter Gardens, Blackpool. Broadcast live on Sky Sports, the tournament will see 32 players competing across nine days.

Tickets are still available - click here for details.

Provisional Rankings - At June 24 2019

The ranking lists below are current at June 24 2019, with prize money won in the Czech Darts Open to be added

PDC Order of Merit

ProTour Order of Merit

Czech Darts Open - Prize Fund Breakdown
Winner £25,000
Runner-Up £10,000
Semi-Finalists £6,500
Quarter-Finalists £5,000
Third Round Losers £3,000
Second Round Losers £2,000
First Round Losers £1,000
Total £140,000