With the August 30th cut off date looming, time is running out for players to earn automatic qualification for this year’s Winmau World Masters, the world’s longest running darts major.
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Since our last update, there has been little change at the top. It’s at the bottom of the BDO’s ranking table that attention turns as players fight to earn enough points for one of the 16 automatic qualification seed places.
Last weekend’s category B events in Antwerp provided an opportunity to climb the ladder. However, of the players clinging onto the top 16 position, or fighting to climb the rankings, few either chose to take part or failed to make an impact.
With events in Sweden in a couple of weeks likely to provide a final automatic qualification chance for Winmau Masters hopefuls, Dutch player Derk Telnekes has dropped out of the top BDO 16 rankings. He slides three places to 17th and is replaced by England’s Scott Baker, who moves into 16th.
Helping to securing their positions are Chris Landman and Michael Unterbuchner who move up three places each to 10th and 12th respectively. Also giving himself a little breathing space is Welshman Martin Phillips who climbs two places to 14th in the BDO list.
Amongst those still hoping to qualify for the 45th staging of the Winmau World Masters, which takes place at Bridlington Spa, Yorkshire on October 4 to 7, is Conan Whitehead. Currently sitting 18th, he picked up 16 points by finishing third in the Antwerp Open and is just 12 points off an automatic qualification spot. Just two points behind is fans’ favourite, Tony O’Shea.
Last weekend’s category B events in Antwerp provided an opportunity to climb the ladder. However, of the players clinging onto the top 16 position, or fighting to climb the rankings, few either chose to take part or failed to make an impact.
With events in Sweden in a couple of weeks likely to provide a final automatic qualification chance for Winmau Masters hopefuls, Dutch player Derk Telnekes has dropped out of the top BDO 16 rankings. He slides three places to 17th and is replaced by England’s Scott Baker, who moves into 16th.
Helping to securing their positions are Chris Landman and Michael Unterbuchner who move up three places each to 10th and 12th respectively. Also giving himself a little breathing space is Welshman Martin Phillips who climbs two places to 14th in the BDO list.
Amongst those still hoping to qualify for the 45th staging of the Winmau World Masters, which takes place at Bridlington Spa, Yorkshire on October 4 to 7, is Conan Whitehead. Currently sitting 18th, he picked up 16 points by finishing third in the Antwerp Open and is just 12 points off an automatic qualification spot. Just two points behind is fans’ favourite, Tony O’Shea.
Ladies race
In the Ladies race to the Winmau World Masters, in which eight automatic qualification places are up for grabs, there’s little change in the ranking tables. Deta Hedman still trails leader Lorraine Winstanley despite winning the Antwerp Masters. 10-times world champion and Team Winmau player, Trina Gulliver MBE remains just outside the top eight despite picking up points in Antwerp. Behind her in 10th is previous World Masters semi-finalist Maria O’Brien.
Check in with us at the end of the month to see if results in Sweden will ensure there is a twist in the tail as the race to the Winmau World Masters enters the finishing straight.
Source: Winmau.com
https://twitter.com/Winmau/status/1028962648338124800
Check in with us at the end of the month to see if results in Sweden will ensure there is a twist in the tail as the race to the Winmau World Masters enters the finishing straight.
Source: Winmau.com
https://twitter.com/Winmau/status/1028962648338124800
I stumbled into the world of darts quite by accident back in 2013. For a Journalism School assignment, I had to produce a live sports report and as it happened, the European Tour event in Veldhoven was the only available option. That weekend, I caught the darts bug. The post-match interviews especially appealed to me, as darts players tend to be much more open and approachable than what you usually see with footballers on television.
After a few detours, I joined Dartsnieuws.com in 2017 as editor-in-chief. I don’t have much competitive experience myself, although I once entered a PDC Development Tour weekend just to experience what it’s like from a player’s perspective. I even managed to win a leg against a Tour Card holder and, quite by accident, earned £50 in prize money.
In 2022, I was also involved in the founding of the TOTO Dart Kings, a commercial darts team, where I worked as media manager for three years. Unfortunately, due to new legislation in the Netherlands, that project came to an end in 2025.
Through my work in darts, I’ve been fortunate to travel to some incredible events, from Premier League nights at Ahoy Rotterdam, to several World Championships, and even the US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Beyond darts, I’m a passionate sports fan in general. You can always wake me up for a game of tennis or padel, and I love following football, tennis, padel, cycling, Formula 1, and ice skating.
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- Well,I suppose if you don't play the tournaments ,then why should any player qualify? There are players who enter every tournament,and if they don't win it,they carry on, spending money they haven't won,yet certain players seem to think they should qualify. Winners only I thinkrick6714-11-2026
- Everyone knows what a fantastic champion Taylor was,but his performances in the seniors were poor. He wouldn't throw littler off stage,as he'd miss these days!!rick6712-11-2026
- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026