"People still don’t realise how good he was in his prime" – Dave Chisnall full of praise for Phil Taylor

PDC
Wednesday, 09 September 2026 at 08:34
Dave Chisnall (1)
Dave Chisnall took an important step in the right direction at the Hungarian Darts Trophy in Budapest. The Englishman admitted it has been a difficult year, but in Hungary he strung together multiple wins and ultimately reached the quarter-finals. That result has given his confidence a major boost.
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Chisnall had qualified earlier this year for the World Matchplay in Blackpool, but he knew he needed more results to strengthen his position on the PDC Order of Merit. In Budapest, he finally got the confirmation he was looking for.
"It was nice to actually win a few games on stage out in Budapest, and it’s done my confidence the world of good after a bit of a poor year. I did well to make it to Blackpool, but I needed results and it was good to both play well, and win games to reach last weeke’s Quarter-Finals," he reflected in his column for Kwiff.
The 45-year-old notched several key victories on his way to the last eight. He saw off Wessel Nijman and Keane Barry, two players who have also impressed on the PDC circuit in recent months.

Clear signal

For Chisnall, those wins were a clear signal that his game is trending back in the right direction. “Beating a player of Wessel’s quality and then getting past Keane Barry was a good indication that things are moving the right way,” said the Englishman.
His run ended in the quarter-finals. Ross Smith proved too strong, winning 6-4. Chisnall was disappointed with how he lost the match, but he is focusing on the positive strides he showed in Budapest. "It was just a bit annoying going out with a bit of a whimper against Ross Smith who’s been something of a bogey player against me the last 18 months," Chisnall said.
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‘Chizzy’ was referring to their recent head-to-heads. Even so, his feeling after this tournament was far better than twelve months ago. Back then, Chisnall exited the Hungarian Darts Trophy against Raymond van Barneveld, who averaged an impressive 107. "It’s much better than the feeling here 12 months ago however, when Barney was channeling his stuff from 20 years ago with a 107 average to batter us up there in the tournament last year."
Dave Chisnall in action at the Hungarian Darts Trophy
Dave Chisnall reached the quarter-finals at the Hungarian Darts Trophy

World Grand Prix

The ranking points from Budapest could also be crucial with the World Grand Prix in mind. "My doubles were always better starting than finishing funnily enough, so I’m looking forward to hopefully booking my ticket there. I had some good results in it, but did get whitewashed by Phil Taylor one year annoyingly – people still don’t realise how good he was in his prime."
Chisnall will use the coming period to keep sharpening his form. He will miss the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam and also failed to qualify for last weekend’s European Tour event in Prague. His next official outings are scheduled in two weeks at the Players Championship events in Den Bosch.
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Still, Chisnall certainly won’t be idle. "It’s been a quiet weekend after failing to make the Euro Tour event last week in Prague, and I won’t be in Amsterdam for the World Series finals. I’ll be back in a fortnight for two more Pro Tour events in Den Bosch, so you’ll find me on the practice board for the next week or so touchwood and hopefully a few more Quarter-Finals are on the horizon soon."
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