The UK Open gives the bulk of the PDC Tour Card holders the
opportunity to play at a big major tourney (as opposed to generally 32
players). Played over three congested
days at the Minehead Butlin's, the tournament gives the purists the opportunity
to get around the boards in a set up akin to the weekend Pro Tour events,
albeit on a grander scale.
A number of Riley's qualifiers join 94 PDC qualifiers (plus
ties) to make a 149 player field and each round is drawn in an open 'FA Cup'
style. Those ranked 65 -117 plus 32 Riley's qualifiers compete in the
Preliminary and first rounds. Ranks 33-64 join in round two, and the top 32 in
the UK Open Qualifier rankings join at the third round stage (last 64).
The tournament will be played out between 6-8 March and is
also live on ITV4. The schedule can be seen below:
Friday March 6
Afternoon
Session (11.45-5pm) - Preliminary Round; First Round; Second Round
Evening Session (7pm - 11pm) - Third Round (Last 64)
Saturday March 7
Afternoon
Session (11.45-5pm) - Last 32
Evening Session (7pm-11pm) - Last 16
Sunday March 8
Afternoon
Session (12.45pm-5pm) - Quarter Finals
Evening Session (7pm-11pm) - Semi Finals; Final
The Runners
Those of you reading will be more than aware of the main
runners, with focus quite possibly on the current world champion, the 16 time
champion of the world and the current world number one. Indeed smart money will
be fluttered in the direction of those three - the current big three. I'm travelling
to Minehead this Friday and will be keeping a very close eye around the boards
too. I've been tracking the form of the qualifiers and have summarised below
those I see as the main contenders and outsiders this weekend.
The Main
Contenders
1. Michael van Gerwen
- The Green Machine is back
Before the world championship it was noticeable that MVG
wasn't quite on this game. There were question marks over whether the world
number one had the form to retain his world title. Ultimately we found out he
wasn't quite at the peak of his powers, but since, MVG has been as his compatriot 'Barney' was once known as, 'The
Man'. Seemingly the post World Championship break revitalised and possibly
re-focused Van Gerwen who has dominated in the UK Open Qualifiers. MVG has three
wins and 1 runner up spot from the five qualifiers he participated in. Added to
that he is the 2015 Masters champion and the German Darts Championship
winner. Also undefeated in the Premier
League MVG is the form horse of 2015 and number one player in the world on form
as well as ranking.
2. Taylor starting to
hit the target
The greatest player of all time, Phil Taylor hasn't been as
dominate in recent years, but is usually able to pick up one or two of the most
lucrative majors (World Matchplay 2015; Grand Slam of Darts 2015).Following the
World Championships, as is often the case Taylor began tinkling with his darts.
Unlucky to be edged out by Anderson at the Leeds leg of the Premier League,
Taylor has since been solid if not remarkable and currently occupies a play-off
spot in that competition, but maybe more encouragingly he is back in the
winning circle with a solid UK Open qualifier six win. Fourth in the overall UK
Open qualifier rankings don't look past Taylor - unless he meets Barney in the
quarters!
3. Anderson on top of
the world?
2014 was a great year for Gary Anderson. Superb form in the Players
Championship tournaments had him as one of the form horses all year, and he
deservedly claimed the Players Championship finals major in Minehead. He
carried his form into the World Championships and imperiously won that title.
Since, the 'Flying Scotsman' has been there or thereabouts, but has been
outgunned by MVG at the two big tournaments since. Anderson is still up there,
but looks a little off his game. Quite possibly there's a World Championship
hangover but the quality is there to turn it on at any point. Anderson is a
strong runner, one of the big three for the UK Open.
4. Barney Army to
march in Minehead?
The reigning Premier League champion, Raymond Van Barneveld
likes the UK Open, and generally if he meets Taylor in the quarter finals his
name is already being etched on the trophy. Barney may have had a period of
mediocrity by his standards, but over the past two years has won two of the
biggest titles and the Darts World Cup with MVG (what a team, right). We saw
the 'eye of the tiger' in Wolverhampton in 2013, and that returned to claim the
2014 Premier League.
5. Jackpot looking to defend
Two-times World Champion, and the defending UK Open champion
Adrian Lewis must be mentioned in the top five most likely candidates this
year. Lewis has the natural ability to beat anyone on his day and quite often not
quite on his day, such is his talent. Lewis' form has been a little in and out
throughout his career. Only at World Championships have we consistently seen
the 'head on' Adrian Lewis, but working again with Keith Deller and looking to
defend his title - motivation is likely to be there. He has been in the winner's
circle already in 2015 with a UK Open Qualifier victory over MVG, and was very
close to beating this year's form horse in the Premier League too (finished
6-6). Lewis is the number 2 in the UK Open Qualifier rankings and one of the
top five most likely to win the UK Open in 2015. Will he have his head on?
6. Rest of the
Premier League pack
The majority of the Premier League players will be
competitive but are a little behind the five already mentioned and Wade,
Huybrechts and Wright are flattering to deceive in that competition so far this
year. All of these three have been solid in the UK Open Qualifiers and there
have been signs of 'Snakebite' finding some form in recent weeks, but a
favourable series of draws are probably needed to bring home the trophy for any
one of these.
Chizzy, Dave Chisnall is maybe the most likely on current form from
the rest of the Premier League participants. Top of the Premier League
currently and on a very consistent run the St Helen's native now has several
runners up spots to his name in the big one. He is knocking on the door for a
major, and the format of the competition could open the door by taking out some
of five mentioned above. Chisnall might just need that kind of luck.
Stephen Bunting
is also worth a mention, although his form hasn't quite been up to that shown
in 2014. The 2014 Lakeside World Champion is very capable though and has been a
real bogey man for some (ask James Wade). Avoidance of MVG, Taylor and Anderson
could see 'The Bullet' go far.
Outsiders
If you are looking for a little more value, a few players have
been looking dangerous on the circuit:
1. Jelle Klaasen - Form
is temporary, but Klaas is permanent
Jelle Klaasen was the 2006 Lakeside World Champion defeating
Raymond Van Barneveld in that final - so is of the calibre to defeat the main
runners. In recent years Klaasen has been 'in and out' but does have Premier
League experience. You will also remember he very nearly knocked out World
Champion Gary Anderson at Alexandra Palace and was fairly unfortunate to go
home himself. Recently he's also made it to a UK Open Qualifier final, only losing
to MVG missing ten match darts in the process. A nice draw might see Klaasen go deep and I'm sure the main runners
will be hoping to miss him in the draw too.
2. Michael Smith - A new Bully?
The Bully boy is turning into a real force on the oche. A
former World Youth Champion, Smith also has PDC Pro Tour wins under his belt.
The most recent is a UK Open Qualifier victory in the run up to the UK Open
finals. Now in the PDC's top 16, Smith will only climb higher and has the game
to worry anyone on his day.
3. Terry Jenkins - The
old Bully
Last year's runner up - The Jimmy White of darts when it
comes to losses in big finals, Terry Jenkins is another where the phrase 'form
is temporary, class is permanent' can be used. Jenkins is still very capable and saw a
resurgence in 2014 with a major final loss at the European Championships too. But he can always go deep, and isn't shy of a big
win with notable scalps in his career. Only recently did MVG fall to him at the
Players Championship 2014 finals tournament.
4. Van der Voort - Could lightning strike twice?
Vincent Van Der Voort has been dangerous again in recent
times. After his switch from the BDO 'Greased Lightning' made the UK Open Final
in 2007 so has previous here (well not in Minehead but you get the point). In
recent times, the big Dutchman terrified Taylor at the World Championships and
since the turn of the year has been a runner up in the UK Open Qualifiers - but
can lightning strike twice for Van Der Voort with a run to this year's final.
5. Mark Webster - A
web to avoid
Webby is the final outsider I would like to mention. A
previous Lakeside World Champion and Premier League participant, the Welshman
has bags of ability but has seemingly lacked confidence during his time in the
PDC. He is however looking in better form, kicking off the year with good UK
Open Qualifier runs. Ninth in the overall UK Open order of merit, he's got a
great chance causing some upsets in Minehead.
Others
Paul Nicholson, Ian White, Robert Thornton, Mervyn King (recovering from his back injury) and Alan
Norris might be others it's worth taking a punt on. Nicholson a previous major
winner who has been struggling for some time now has showed signs of form and
is more than due a run, whilst White, Thornton, King and Norris are real danger
men - always!
For a run-down of the UK Open order of merit (an indication
of form) check out http://www.dartsdatabase.co.uk/Rankings.aspx
UK Open Rankings
The players mentioned are UK Open Qualifier ranked as
follows:
·
Michael Van Gerwen #1
·
Phil Taylor #4
·
Gary Anderson #29
·
Raymond Van Barneveld #15
·
Adrian Lewis #2
·
Dave Chisnall #13
·
Stephen Bunting #40
·
Peter Wright #17
·
James Wade #6
·
Kim Huybrechts #11
·
Jelle Klaasen #7
·
Michael Smith #3
·
Terry Jenkins #26
·
Vincent Van Der Voort #5
·
Mark Webster #9
·
Paul Nicholson #20
·
Ian White #8
·
Robert Thornton #14
·
Mervyn King #23
·
Alan Norris #22
References:
Darts Database (2015), 'Rankings - PDC UK Open', Darts Database, [online], Available
from: http://www.dartsdatabase.co.uk/Rankings.aspx
PDC (2015), 'Coral UK Open Board Allocations', Professional Darts Corporation,
[online], Available from: http://www.pdc.tv/uk-open/article/q4zr8jvyw4kj1dpfmydrfiyh9/title/coral-uk-open-board-allocations
No comments:
Post a Comment