World Series of Darts 2016 - Discussion

[foggs3355]

Really stretching the definition of "global prospects" if they give places to a Welshman and someone from Northern Ireland...

Reyes should get one, he has had a good year so far.

i agree and k anderson and v d pass as well

[Ginge]

Cullen and Josh Payne = "Global Invitations"

Deary me.

[ssjsa]

KIM HUYBRECHTS heads the field of global invitations for the Ladbrokes World Series of Darts Finals, with emerging stars Benito van de Pas, Max Hopp and Josh Payne amongst a further eight players confirmed for the Glasgow event next month.

The season-ending World Series of Darts Finals features the eight PDC stars who competed in the international events around the globe earlier in 2016 alongside 16 other competitors at the Braehead Arena on November 5-6, live on ITV4.

Four players from the PDC Order of Merit were confirmed following the completion of the recent World Grand Prix, with Robert Thornton, Michael Smith, Jelle Klaasen and Mensur Suljovic all set to compete in Glasgow.

A further eight invitations have now been confirmed to compete against the likes of Michael Smith, Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor, headed by former Premier League star Huybrechts.

Belgian ace Huybrechts, 30, has established himself amongst the world's elite in the past five years since joining the PDC circuit, and currently sits in 14th place on the Order of Merit.

Dutch prospect van de Pas, 23, has broken into the world's top 16 this year after winning his first two ProTour titles, and also reached his second major quarter-final at the World Grand Prix earlier in October.

World Youth Champion Max Hopp will compete in the World Series of Darts Finals for a second successive year following his inclusion alongside two players who have won their maiden ProTour ranking titles in 2016, Gerwyn Price and Josh Payne.

Both Daryl Gurney and Joe Cullen have moved into the world's top 32 this year, while Spain's Cristo Reyes is hot on their heels after jumping to 34th in the rankings in less than two years as a professional.

The final four players for the Ladbrokes World Series of Darts Finals will be confirmed following Sunday's Qualifier in Barnsley for PDC Tour Card Holders.

"The concept of the World Series of Darts has been to show the sport's leading talents on a global stage, and our field in Glasgow will represent both the established elite stars and the prospects who we hope will have long careers at the top level," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

"With the world's top 12 players already confirmed, the announcement of the eight global invitations moves us a step closer to completing the field with some hugely exciting players.

"Kim Huybrechts has been hugely consistent this year, especially on the European Tour, and is heading the crop of Belgian players who are competing on the PDC circuit now at a great time for the sport in his homeland.

"Max Hopp is in a similar position after establishing himself as the number one ranked German player alongside carrying the mantle of World Youth Champion, and it's amazing to think that he's only just turned 20!

"Benito van de Pas and Josh Payne are two other young stars who have stepped up from the Development Tour to become champions on the ProTour, and both Gerwyn Price and Cristo Reyes have made huge impacts in only a couple of years as professionals.

"Daryl Gurney has been a revelation in the past 12 months, particularly with his performances on the big stage, and it's been brilliant to see Joe Cullen flourish this year.

"These eight players have a great opportunity now to challenge for this title in Glasgow during what promises to be a highly competitive weekend."

Tickets for the Ladbrokes World Series of Darts Finals are available now from the Braehead Arena Box Office by calling 0844 499 1700 or online via www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

2016 Ladbrokes World Series of Darts Finals
Eight Seeded Players
(1) Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands)
(2) Gary Anderson (Scotland)
(3) Phil Taylor (England)
(4) Dave Chisnall (England)
(5) Adrian Lewis (England)
(6) James Wade (England)
(7) Peter Wright (Scotland)
(8) Raymond van Barneveld (Netherlands)

PDC Order of Merit Qualifiers
Robert Thornton (Scotland)
Michael Smith (England)
Jelle Klaasen (Netherlands)
Mensur Suljovic (Austria)

Global Invitations
Joe Cullen (England)
Daryl Gurney (Northern Ireland)
Max Hopp (Germany)
Kim Huybrechts (Belgium)
Josh Payne (England)
Gerwyn Price (Wales)
Cristo Reyes (Spain)
Benito van de Pas (Netherlands)

[Dannyboy]

Blimey, the PDC going down the BDO Lakeside, UK and Benelux route of global invitations.

[Ginge]

Some of those "invitations" are rather unimaginative. Joe Cullen, FFS!

[The Jolly Man]

So Cadby doesn't get one?? At top of rankings in Australia, beat Taylor playing in the wsod and reaches final of the U23 Worlds.

The "finals" just doesn't match up with the "tour" before.

[foggs3355]

Some of those "invitations" are rather unimaginative. Joe Cullen, FFS!

i agree with 3 of those picks that auz guy Corby, should have been in as should Devon Peterson

[malcy93]

Is one issue PDC not paying travel money especially for the Australians ?

If knocked out early flights and hotel take out a big chunk of the prize money plus it's an exbo so no OOM points.

[Zeyes]

There's also the issue that outside of Cadby (likely committed elsewhere), K. Anderson (visa issues) and Devon Petersen there really aren't any youngish players from outside Europe who've made any waves this year.

[Rout]

I've been getting told all year when calling this tournament the crock of shite that it is, that the whole point of it was to globalise the game. 4 invites from the UK. 4 from Western Europe. Wowsa.

[markymark]

It's a tournament invented because ITV wanted another event, no?

[oche balboa]

Its the PDCs version of the Finders

[malcy93]

There's also the issue that outside of Cadby (likely committed elsewhere), K. Anderson (visa issues) and Devon Petersen there really aren't any youngish players from outside Europe who've made any waves this year.

They should have told Cadby he qualified months ago straight after the Australasian events so he could possibly have rearranged his schedule to be in UK for the Finals.

[Little Lonely Garry]

Its the PDCs version of the Finders

no its not clubfoot.

The cider can has wildcards for a ranked comp.

Try again clownshoe

[hang the dj]

So Cadby doesn't get one?? At top of rankings in Australia, beat Taylor playing in the wsod and reaches final of the U23 Worlds.

The "finals" just doesn't match up with the "tour" before.

According to Nicholson on a podcast it's so he can compete in the Australian Grand Prix & claim his place in the worlds


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[Rout]

More fantastic scheduling

[Dannyboy]

Its the PDCs version of the Finders

Not really. Its got 24 players, that's where the similarity ends.

[ifm]

Is one issue PDC not paying travel money especially for the Australians ?

If knocked out early flights and hotel take out a big chunk of the prize money plus it's an exbo so no OOM points.

The pdc have no issues paying for overseas players to travel.

[ifm]

There's also the issue that outside of Cadby (likely committed elsewhere), K. Anderson (visa issues) and Devon Petersen there really aren't any youngish players from outside Europe who've made any waves this year.

Kyle lives in Nottingham so i doubt visa issues apply........
What's all the hoo ha about Devon? hardly set the world on fire, Cullen has been much more impressive yet folks moaning about him but wanting Devon, odd.

[Dannyboy]

There's also the issue that outside of Cadby (likely committed elsewhere), K. Anderson (visa issues) and Devon Petersen there really aren't any youngish players from outside Europe who've made any waves this year.

Kyle lives in Nottingham so i doubt visa issues apply........
What's all the hoo ha about Devon? hardly set the world on fire, Cullen has been much more impressive yet folks moaning about him but wanting Devon, odd.

He probably has to leave the country for a certain number of days a year. Although I don't particularly know what the full ins and outs are, he's probably not got a full residency visa.

Bloody Tories and their immigration policy.