Gary Stone, Matt Padgett, Robert Owen and Tony Newell were the four PDC Tour Card winners on Day Three of the 2014 PDC Qualifying School in Wigan, as Christian Kist missed out on an automatic Tour Card in the day’s deciding games.
Scottish ace Stone, 32, secured his place on the PDC ProTour with some superb darts on the day, showing his experience as he won a Tour Card.
An amateur qualifier for the 2013 UK Open – where he lost out to veteran Dennis Smith in the second round – Stone has also previously played in the Lakeside Championship and World Masters, but described securing a Tour Card as the greatest moment of his career.
The Lanarkshire thrower opened yesterday’s play with a whitewash of Mark Pritchard before defeating fellow Scot Joe Bata 5-3, and then saw off Ireland’s Keith Rooney and Holland’s Ron Meulenkamp to reach the last 16.
There, he defeated recent World Championship qualifier Ian Moss 5-1 before defeating Somerset’s Steve Grubb 5-2 to secure his Tour Card.
“I’m very proud, and this is the highlight of my career,” said Stone. “Winning through the Lakeside Championship qualifiers was a big moment for me, bit this is a possible life-changer.
“I probably felt I’d let myself down in the first two days but there was a lot of pressure back home, from both the family and in the media, and that’s not something I’m used to because it’s not as easy as just turning up here to win a Tour Card.
“I relaxed today and tried to concentrate on my own game and not worry about everyone else, and it feels so good to get over the line.
“To have a two-year Tour Card is massive. People don’t realise how big this is because of the amount of prize money there is to play for in the PDC now.”
Stone added: “I really enjoyed playing in the UK Open last year, and I learned a lot from playing Dennis Smith, who is a seasoned professional. That spurred me on and I want to experience more of that now.”
Stone’s achievement in winning a Tour Card on Friday was matched by another player with recent professional experience, the Ilkeston left-hander Matt Padgett.
The 31-year-old qualified for the 2011 World Championship and has played in three UK Opens since 2010, reaching the last 32 in Bolton last June, and regained his full Tour Card status with a 5-2 win over Dutch star Kist in their decider.
Padgett enjoyed wins over Jaron Esteve, Jake Patchett, Robert Turner, Nigel Heydon and Stuart White as he reached the penultimate stage of the day, where he edged out Isle of Wight youngster Keegan Brown 5-4 to set up his clash with Kist.
“I’d played Christian on the first day and although it was nip and tuck, he won 5-2 and he was the better player on the day,” said Padgett. “We joked as we were warming up for the game today that this was Round Two, and I’m delighted it went my way.
“I didn’t feel I played that well in the first two days, but I’ve got better as the days have gone on and my game was good today.
“This is a chance for me to have a fresh start on the ProTour now and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m hoping to get some more sponsorship which will help me to travel everywhere, and I want to make a big impact.”
The day’s two other Tour Card winners are newcomers to the professional circuit, with Welsh ace Robert Owen’s success coming only 24 hours after his friend Gerwyn Price had achieved the same feat.
Owen enjoyed wins over Michael Rasztovits, Damien Sherwood, Liam Fox, Doug Thompson, Mark Barilli and Pete Dyos on the day, dropping only one leg in each of his last three games as he secured professional status.
The 29-year-old from Bridgend has previously competed in the Welsh Open and played some County darts in Wales, but said: “This is the greatest day of my darts career by far!
“I’m so happy right now. I was delighted to see Gerwyn win a Tour Card yesterday and we were joking that if I could win one too we can travel together this year.
“It’s going to be a big learning curve for me but I’ve got two uears to establish myself and I want to try and qualify for the World Championship in that time.
“I came here wanting to win a Tour Card and though I was good enough, and Barrie Bates has encouraged me and a few of the Welsh lads to give it a go, and I’m glad he did!”
Cumbrian newcomer Newell, a 31-year-old caretaker from Windermere School, sealed his Tour Card with a 5-0 whitewash of experienced Dave Ladley in their decider – just 24 hours after being laid in bed recovering from a bout of ‘flu.
He had dropped only two legs in early wins over Geoff Whitworth and Marcel Hirzel before edging out Jason Lovett in a deciding leg, and he also defeated Brandon Walsh and Philip Wathen on his way to securing his full-time spot on the PDC ProTour.
“I’m absolutely elated,” said Kendal-based Newell. “I’d struggled on Wednesday and decided not to play on Thursday to get myself right and have a good crack at the final two days – and it’s brilliant that I only needed one day!
“I know I have the game for this level but you need to play well on the day, and it clicked for me today. Winning the Tour Card has changed everything for me and I’m really looking forward to the next two years.
“My boss has really backed me and given me the time off to come to Q School and it’s paid off for me so far and I’m excited about playing the circuit now.”
Runs to the last eight on the day for Kist, Dyos, Ladley and Grubb improves their chances of winning a Tour Card from the Q School Order of Merit – should they not go all the way in Saturday’s final day of competition in Wigan.
Brian Woods, who had reached the last eight on the first two days, reached the last 32 on Friday to maintain his position at the head of the Q School Order of Merit on 21 points, ahead of Keegan Brown (16) and Stuart White (15).
Dyos and Kist are locked on 14 points, with Austrian teenager Rowby-John Rodriguez on 13 points.
