Cristo Reyes is back! Spanish trailblazer regains PDC Tour Card after 4-year absence: "After the Worlds I thought: Why not Q-School?"

Cristo Reyes secured a PDC Tour Card for the next two years on the second day of the final stage of the European Q-School. The 38-year-old Spaniard won his decisive match 6-3 against Germany’s Matthias Ehlers.

For Reyes, this marks a return to the PDC Pro Tour after a four-year absence. Between 2015 and 2021 he previously held a PDC Tour Card. “It was very difficult, very difficult,” said Reyes in conversation with the PDC afterwards. "There are so many players playing really good, so I'm happy. I've got my Tour Card, and I'm back again!"

Reyes has demonstrated his class several times in the past, reaching the last 16 at both the World Darts Championship and the World Matchplay. Despite dropping away from the public eye since falling off the Tour, the Spartan insists he's never given up on his darting dreams.

“I've played always, but things at home... my father had problems so I had to stop. But now I'm playing properly again," explains the Spaniard. "This year I've practiced for the last six to eight months. I went to the World Championship qualifier, played well and I won. Then after the Worlds I thought: Why not Q-School?"

Reyes also competed at the World Darts Championship last month. He made a good impression there, but lost his opening match 3-1 to Gian van Veen. His average, however, boded well for Q-School, and on the second day of the final stage he fully lived up to his status as a favorite.

Q-School continues this weekend with the third and fourth days of the final stage. A PDC Tour Card is still on offer each day for the two players who reach the final. In addition, the top 8 on the European Q-School Order of Merit will also earn a PDC Tour Card for the next two years.