Last Friday, the qualifying tournament for the upcoming
Grand Slam of Darts was completed in Leicester. Three-time winner
Gerwyn Price failed to qualify for this PDC major, but another former winner enjoyed success.
Price, who managed to win the Grand Slam of Darts in 2018, 2019 and 2021, had to pass the qualifying tournament to qualify for this edition. The 39-year-old Welshman had recently indicated he would not do so, but surprisingly showed up in Leicester on Friday anyway. After wins against Jurjen van der Velde and Robert Owen, he needed a win against Mickey Mansell to qualify. However, the Northern Irishman proved too strong 5-3 and so Price is out of the Grand Slam of Darts for the first time since 2015. For Mansell, who also won against Raymond van Barneveld on the road, it will be his debut at the Grand Slam of Darts.
In addition to Price, Jonny Clayton, Nathan Aspinall and Damon Heta failed to qualify for the Grand Slam of Darts.
Wade
Who did manage to qualify is
James Wade. 'The Machine,' a three-time losing finalist at the Grand Slam of Darts in the past, defeated successively Simon Whitlock, Florian Hempel and Michele Turetta to secure his ticket to Wolverhampton.
Along the Dutch side, Danny Noppert managed to qualify, he was too strong for Danny van Trijp in his deciding match 5-1.
Biggest impression
Who perhaps impressed most at the qualifying tournament was Martin Lukeman. The Englishman beat Jeffrey de Zwaan 5-0 in his deciding match, posting an average of 107.36. In his other three matches he also averaged 100+ each time.
Cameron Menzies is also there at the Grand Slam of Darts. The boyfriend of Fallon Sherrock won't be joined by The Queen of the Palace as he sets his own trail. He won his first PDC ranking title last week, was too strong for Matthew Dennant in his deciding match, 5-2.
In addition to the aforementioned players, Keane Barry, Ryan Joyce and Ross Smith may also prepare for a trip to Wolverhampton.
The Grand Slam of Darts kicks off next Saturday at the Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton, with the final to be played on Sunday, Nov. 17. Luke Humphries starts the tournament as defending champion after winning 16-8 over Rob Cross in last year's final. The draw will take place later today.