Last chance saloon for World Grand Prix qualifying: How Beau Greaves, Kim Huybrechts and Mike De Decker can still qualify

The qualification race for the World Grand Prix is nearing its conclusion. The Flanders Darts Trophy, played in Antwerp from 11 to 13 September, is the final event counting towards entry for the prestigious double-in, double-out tournament. Especially near the bottom of the ProTour Order of Merit, there is a huge amount at stake this weekend.

The World Grand Prix takes place from 28 September to 04 October and is the only major PDC event with the unique format where every leg must start and finish on a double. The field consists of 32 players. The top sixteen of the PDC Order of Merit are joined by the sixteen highest-ranked players on the ProTour Order of Merit who have not already qualified.

Among the sixteen seeded players, the lineup now looks almost settled. Only Jermaine Wattimena can still chase down a place inside the world’s top sixteen. The Dutchman, however, needs the maximum outcome: Wattimena must win the Flanders Darts Trophy.

If that does not happen, he need not worry. Thanks to his position on the ProTour Order of Merit, Wattimena can fall back on the alternative route and his World Grand Prix spot remains secure.

What is certain is that Luke Littler will top the seedings. “The Nuke” has already passed three million pounds in prize money and holds a lead of more than two million over his closest rivals. Luke Humphries is currently second, but that position is not entirely safe. Gian van Veen can still overtake his English rival at the Flanders Darts Trophy. The Dutchman would need the title in Antwerp to do it.

Van Veen is far from the only Dutchman set to start the World Grand Prix as a seed. Michael van Gerwen will make it a 15th consecutive appearance despite sitting in a very low eighth in the world rankings, but a strong run in Antwerp could lift him to sixth. Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, James Wade and Josh Rock make up the best of the rest.

Danny Noppert and Gary Anderson complete the top 10. Stephen Bunting follows in 11th while the title winning machine Wessel Nijman can be found in a commendable 12th ahead of Ryan Searle. At the foot of the top sixteen, the margins are much tighter. Ross Smith, Chris Dobey, and Nathan Aspinall currently occupy spots fourteen to sixteen. Aspinall in particular will want to climb at least one place. If “The Asp” remains seeded 16, an early clash with No. 1 Littler at the World Grand Prix is on the cards.

While the battle among the seeds looks largely settled, the tension via the ProTour Order of Merit is significantly higher. This weekend it is not about improving a seed, but simply about making the field or missing out.

The likes of Luke Woodhouse and Kevin Doets can relax. The duo are first and second on the relevant ProTour ranking with the Dutchman set to make his World Grand Prix debut. Rob Cross and Dave Chisnall have reacted late to get themselves in qualifying positions. Damon Heta is also forced to qualify via the ProTour Order of Merit route.

Doets and Niels Zonneveld are currently the only two debutants holding spots in the lineup. For William O’Connor, it would be a return to familiar ground. The Irishman is on course to play the World Grand Prix for the first time since 2015, a well-deserved return.

The greatest tension sits right on the cut line. The final two tickets are currently held by Joe Cullen and Cristo Reyes. Only £750 in prize money separates Cullen and Reyes. Their cushions over the chasers are even slimmer. Kim Huybrechts is just £500 behind Reyes, while Sebastian Bialecki trails the Spaniard—who occupies the last qualifying place—by £1,500.

That means a single win at the Flanders Darts Trophy could have major consequences. Huybrechts and Bialecki can overtake Cullen and/or Reyes if results in Antwerp fall their way. For both chasers, it is crucial they win at least one match if they want to knock Cullen or Reyes out of a qualifying berth. For Huybrechts, a first-round draw against Cullen would be particularly intriguing. “The Hurricane” could eliminate a direct rival in front of his home crowd and take a major step towards the World Grand Prix.

Behind Huybrechts and Bialecki, several players are still mathematically in the race, but their task is far tougher. Karel Sedláček and Martin Schindler must reach at least the quarter-finals of the Flanders Darts Trophy to keep a chance of a spot. For Beau Greaves, Jeffrey de Graaf, Mickey Mansell, and Gabriel Clemens, the equation is clearer—and harsher: they must win the Euro Tour event in Antwerp to force their way into the World Grand Prix field. Every round in Antwerp could therefore have huge implications. It is not only about the title and prize money, but for several players a single missed double could be the difference between playing a major or missing out.

Even Mike De Decker still has a slim chance of qualifying for the World Grand Prix. That would be a remarkable escape for the winner of the 2024 edition.

‘The Real Deal’ is currently not even in the line-up for the Flanders Darts Trophy. The Belgian gets his last chance to qualify for the home Euro Tour event on Thursday 10.09. during the Host Nation Qualifier.

That would only be the first step, though. If De Decker does make it through qualifying, he then also has to win the Flanders Darts Trophy to secure a late place at the World Grand Prix. If not, a huge ranking drop could be on the cards. His heroics two years ago in the final against Humphries will long be remembered, but his failure to kick on could see him in a spot of bother going forward.