The latest Pro Tour event of 2024 is underway in Milton Keynes and James Wade, Michael Smith and Jonny Clayton have all advanced to the second round of Players Championship 16 at the expense of their opponents.
'Flyers' Richard Veenstra had to concede 6-4 to the former world champion and world number one Smith, who threw a very impressive 104.41 average. Familiar names like Jonny Clayton, Peter Wright and James Wade also secured a spot in the second round. Clayton proved too strong for Lee Evans 6-5, while Wright prevailed 6-3 against Callum Goffin. Wade beat Danny Lauby 6-2 thanks to an average of 102.47.
Follow the sixteenth Players Championship tournament via our LIVE SCORE!
Elsewhere, A 13-darter and a 76 finish gave Raymond van Barneveld a 3-1 lead early in the his all Dutch clash with Jeffrey De Zwaan, but a 16-darter and a 12-darter brought De Zwaan back to 3-3. He then took over the lead with a 14-darter. In the eighth leg, Van Barneveld threw a 100 finish to tie the score again before De Zwaan moved to one leg from victory via a 65 checkout. Barney notched a 13-darter to force a deciding leg. The last leg went to De Zwaan with a 17-darter, after Van Barneveld failed to throw out 73.
Danny van Trijp also reached the second round of Players Championship 16. The Dutchman was 6-3 too strong for two-time major winner Daryl Gurney averaging over 100. Andy Boulton also hit three figures in victory over Joe Cullen, whose Pro Tour woes continue.