Steve Beaton has ended his career on the
Pro Tour in disappointment this Thursday afternoon. 'The Bronzed Adonis' was playing his last Pro Tour tournament ever in Leicester at
Players Championship 30, but has lost out 6-5 to Niels Zonneveld in the first round.
Beaton previously announced that 2024 was going to be his last year on the PDC Tour. Due to his defeat to Zonneveld, the iconic Englishman failed to qualify for the World Darts Championship via the Pro Tour, although Beaton still gets a chance at the Tour Card qualifying tournament at the end of November.
Elsewhere,
Andrew Gilding made an impressive start to Players Championship 30 by defeating Connor Scutt 6-2 in the first round thanks to an average of 115.12. Gilding recorded a 10-darter and two 12-darters in the process.
Michael Smith also joined the last 64 after a 6-3 victory over Lukas Wenig. Top players such as Joe Cullen, Wessel Nijman, James Wade, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Jermaine Wattimena also secured a spot in the second round.