Mervyn King will return to Ally Pally in what is a popular return for the first time in three years. It will be his 28th appearance at a World Championship, whether BDO or PDC, and 29 if World Seniors is included. He sealed his spot during the final
Challenge Tour of the year.
One that will leave Michael Unterbuchner sick to his stomach, King's win over Lee Cocks saw him jump up to fourth with Bellmont and Evetts already qualified. Labanauskas only takes a Tour Card as he is qualified elsewhere.
Unterbuchner lost dramatically in the Quarter-Finals during the same round as King sealed his spot and that is all he needed as 'T-Rex' who won a title yesterday will not be returning to Ally Pally. it is a welcome return for King who lost his Tour Card last year and while his main goal of sealing a Tour Card wasn't achieved, he will get the next best thing. A spot at the Ally Pally.
Not to take anything away from the victor though of the final event in
Sam Spivey who claims a maiden crown denying
Alexander Merkx in the final 5-3. He saw off Jurjen van der Velde, CT champion Stefan Bellmont, Andy Hamilton and Ashley Coleman en route. He seals his maiden crown and the season concludes from here.
The PDC Challenge Tour is designed for players who participated in the Q-School, but failed to secure a Tour Card there. This circuit offers them a second chance to put themselves in the spotlight.
The highest ranked players on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit can participate as alternates in Players Championship tournaments during the season when spots become available. At the end of the year, the top two ranked players earn a coveted PDC Tour Card for the next two seasons - as well as a starting ticket to the World Darts Championship in Alexandra Palace.
PDC Challenge Tour 24 Results
| Round of 16 |
| Sam Spivey | 5 | | | 1 | Stefan Bellmont |
| Matt Gallett | 5 | | | 3 | Ted Evetts |
| Michael Unterbuchner | 5 | | | 1 | Shane McGuirk |
| Jurjen van der Velde | 5 | | | 4 | Andrew Cass |
| Daniel Ayres | 5 | | | 0 | Scott Campbell |
| Alexander Merkx | 5 | | | 2 | James Howard Hughes |
| Lee Cocks | 5 | | | 4 | Ryan Branley |
| Mervyn King | 5 | | | 1 | Tom Lonsdale |
| Quarterfinals |
| Sam Spivey | 5 | | | 2 | Matt Gallett |
| Jurjen van der Velde | 5 | | | 4 | Michael Unterbuchner |
| Alexander Merkx | 5 | | | 4 | Daniel Ayres |
| Mervyn King | 5 | | | 4 | Lee Cocks |
| Semifinals |
| Sam Spivey | 5 | | | 3 | Jurjen van der Velde |
| Alexander Merkx | 5 | | | 4 | Mervyn King |
| Final |
| Sam Spivey | 5 | | | 3 | Alexander Merkx |