Mario Vandenbogaerde makes history - Only 5th Belgian ever to reach Pro Tour final

Belgian darts continues to firmly establish itself at the highest level. With 'Super Mario' Vandenbogaerde, Belgium has added a new name to the PDC Pro Tour history books. The 52-year-old reached the final of the 28th Players Championship of the year yesterday and became the fifth Belgian ever to reach this far on the prestigious Pro Tour circuit, which consists of Players Championships (the former UK Open Qualifiers are also counted here) and Euro Tours.

Vandenbogaerde certainly had chances in the final to capture his first PDC ranking title, but eventually lost 8-6 to Ryan Searle. Still, he did golden business, as he is now assured of qualifying for the Players Championship Finals and retaining his PDC Tour Card is getting closer and closer.

With his final place Mario joins a special list. Before him on behalf of Belgium only Kim Huybrechts, Dimitri Van den Bergh, Mike De Decker and Ronny Huybrechts reached the final on the Pro Tour.

Kim Huybrechts is the Belgian record holder with 15 Pro Tour finals, five of which he won. Dimitri Van den Bergh reached nine finals and won three. Mike De Decker reached three finals and won one, while Ronny Huybrechts also played three finals, but lost each time.

And now Mario Vandenbogaerde joins them, immediately adding a new chapter to the Belgian darts story with his first final.

The road to this milestone is one of hard work and perseverance. Vandenbogaerde has been raising his level step by step over the past few years, regularly notching up great results, without that really big breakthrough. Vandenbogaerde earned his first PDC Tour Card in 2022, but lost it at the end of 2023. Early in 2024 he immediately recaptured his PDC Tour Card and now he seems to be keeping it.

With his final place he proves that he can connect with the world top. For Vandenbogaerde personally this is an important boost, but for Belgian darts it is at least equally valuable: it shows that besides the established values there is still more potential.

Vandenbogaerde, by the way, gets another chance at a first PDC rankings title today. After all, the 29th Players Championship of the year will be finished in Leicester this afternoon. The 30th tournament will follow on Thursday.