The recent European Darts Championship has had a significant impact on the PDC Order of Merit, particularly for players hovering just outside the top ten. A standout performer from the tournament was Ritchie Edhouse, whose remarkable victory in Dortmund has shifted the dynamics of the rankings.
At 41 years old, Edhouse showcased his prowess throughout the competition, beginning with a decisive 6-1 win against Gian Veen. He continued to impress by narrowly defeating the formidable Michael Smith 10-9, overcoming former champion Gary Anderson 10-5, and dominating Luke Woodhouse with an 11-5 score to secure his place in the final.
Edhouse’s journey culminated in an unexpected showdown against Jermaine Wattimena, where he triumphed 11-3, marking his first major title and catapulting him from 39th to 29th in the Order of Merit, a significant milestone in his career.
Edhouse’s victory not only provided him with a trophy but also brought financial rewards, as he earned £120,000, nearly doubling his previous total on the PDC Order of Merit. This financial boost is particularly noteworthy given that major tournaments can often define a player’s career trajectory.
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In contrast, losing finalist Jermaine Wattimena, despite his commendable performance, walked away with £60,000 and a modest rise from 40th to 37th in the rankings. This highlights a stark contrast in progress between the two players, as Wattimena’s gains appear limited compared to Edhouse’s meteoric rise. The competitive nature of the sport is further underscored by the fact that Wattimena’s efforts, while commendable, did not significantly impact his overall standing.
In terms of the broader rankings, the most notable decline was experienced by Ross Smith, the surprise winner of the previous year’s European Darts Championship. After being eliminated in the first round, Smith faced a significant financial and ranking setback, plummeting from ninth to 22nd place.
This drastic fall illustrates the volatility of the sport, where a single tournament can dramatically alter a player’s fortunes. As a result of Smith’s early exit, several players above him in the rankings capitalized on the opportunity to move up, including Danny Noppert, James Wade, Ryan Searle, Luke Littler, and Gary Anderson, all of whom climbed several positions in the Order of Merit.
Despite the shifts in rankings among players just outside the top ten, the top eight remained unchanged, reflecting a period of stability among the elite players. Michael van Gerwen, who has historically been a dominant force in darts, missed an opportunity to close the gap on number two ranked Michael Smith after being eliminated in the second round.
This result mirrored his performance from two years ago, highlighting a pattern that could be troubling for the former world champion. Meanwhile, world number one Luke Humphries advanced to the quarter-finals, solidifying his lead over Smith by more than £700, a cushion that underscores his current form.
Notably, Humphries was the only player in the top ten to reach the quarter-finals, contributing to the lack of positional changes at the summit of the PDC Order of Merit, and demonstrating the competitive intensity that characterizes the darts circuit.
