
In the run-up to the 2020 PDC World Championship which begins on Friday, December 13, DartsNews takes a look at the 32 clashes in the first round.
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The previews are done in order of the schedule; for the PDC World Championship. One or two previews are posted every day. The complete tournament schedule can be found via this link here.
Jamie Hughes vs. Zoran Lerchbacher
Time: Saturday December 14 at 9:10 PM
Head 2 Head : Jamie Hughes 1-0 Zoran Lerchbacher
Previous meeting: Jamie Hughes 6-3 Zoran Lerchbacher, Players Championship 5 in February 2019
Number of previous PDC World Cup participations: Hughes 0, Lerchbacher 3
Best result Debut 2020 (Hughes); Second round, 2018 (Lerchbacher)
Preview
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Jamie Hughes will make his debut at the Alexandra Palace after an excellent first season as a PDC Tour Card Holder; which included a European Tour win mid-season when he claimed the Czech Darts Open.
As a result he gained experience in many of the major tournaments despite first round exits during World Matchplay, World Grand Prix; as well as European Championship and Players Championship Finals.
Hughes has been well known for performing well; without necessarily getting results; but he should ease past Lerchbacher.
The Austrian claimed his fourth qualification by winning the Eastern Europe Qualifying tournament; defeating Rusty-Jake Rodriguez. It may be his fourth; but he has only managed one win before.
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- Well,I suppose if you don't play the tournaments ,then why should any player qualify? There are players who enter every tournament,and if they don't win it,they carry on, spending money they haven't won,yet certain players seem to think they should qualify. Winners only I thinkrick6714-11-2026
- Everyone knows what a fantastic champion Taylor was,but his performances in the seniors were poor. He wouldn't throw littler off stage,as he'd miss these days!!rick6712-11-2026
- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026




