Van Barneveld claims first PDC ranking title since 2013 as dream comeback continues with PDC Super Series Day Three win over Cullen
PDC
Raymond van Barneveld has claimed his first PDC ranking title since October 2013 with victory in the third day of the PDC Super Series in Bolton against Joe Cullen.
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The dream comeback continues for the five time World Champion as he won through 8-6 against 'The Rockstar' who has been in brilliant form over recent months.
But the day belongs to the doyen of the Dutch darts who won through at Q-School and has proved his doubters wrong by doing it when it matters on the ProTour today.
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To begin the tie, 136 left Cullen on double 14 and he pinned it after Van Barneveld missed a dart at 116 and an early break went the way of the Bradford ace.
A 174 left 40 for Cullen to hold with Barney unable to hit his signature 156.
Van Barneveld hit double 10 though to halve the deficit and hold his throw early on but needed to look at the Cullen throw to level.
But he couldn't do so with Cullen throwing a 180 and double four for a 3-1 lead.
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Van Barneveld missed double 16 for a 143 checkout to hold but was back for double eight which he pinned to make it 3-2.
Cullen went for a 170 checkout when he didn't need to but wasn't made to pay as he pinned double four last dart in hand to restore a two-leg cushion at 4-2.
Van Barneveld missed double 16 for a 146 when he was under pressure to hold but Cullen missed three clear at double 16 himself.
As a result, the Dutch legend made it 4-3 to hold. Cullen wired tops for a 160 finish, before Van Barneveld stepped in to pin D16 for a break of throw and to make it 4-4.
A stunning 119 checkout on the bull with Van Barneveld sat on 24 saw the break of throw ironed out and momentum in the favour of Cullen again.
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Van Barneveld returned though with a showstopper of his own with a 144 checkout to make it 5-5.
A 180 all in the bottom corner saw Van Barneveld look to hit the front and despite messing up off a 61, he was offered a reprieve which he took on double one to go 6-5 up.
Six darts were missed at double 12 by Cullen but two at double 16 from 52 saw 'The Rockstar' handed a lifeline of his own which he took on double two.
Cullen began 180-140 on Van Barneveld's throw and was first to a finish after a 134 left 47 with Van Barneveld on 180.
The Bradford ace couldn't capitalise though missing two darts at double 16 and an 80 checkout saw Barney go one away.
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Van Barneveld missed double 12 for a 104 checkout to win on Cullen's throw but he was given three more as Cullen missed two at double five.
Barney missed three more though but Cullen was tense as well and the five-time World Champion returned for double three.
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PDC Super Series Day Three (Players Championship Three) Results
Last 16
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Joe Cullen (100.2) 6 | 0 (91.3) Daryl Gurney
Devon Petersen (96.3) 4 | 6 (98.7) Krzysztof Ratajski
José de Sousa (92.1) 3 | 6 (95.7) Jonny Clayton
Eddie Lovely (89.4) 0 | 6 (93.9) Danny Noppert
Darius Labanauskas (91.0) 1 | 6 (105.7) Raymond van Barneveld
Alan Soutar (94.7) 6 | 4 (90.6) Keane Barry
Peter Wright (98.7) 4 | 6 (87.9) Glen Durrant
James Wade (98.9) 3 | 6 (103.7) Ian White
Quarter-Finals
Joe Cullen (104.9) 6 | 2 (97.3) Krzysztof Ratajski
Jonny Clayton (103.0) 4 | 6 (96.7) Danny Noppert
Raymond van Barneveld (98.6) 6 | 2 (91.3) Alan Soutar
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Glen Durrant (86.3) 1 | 6 (96.6) Ian White
Semi-Finals
Joe Cullen (95.7) 7 | 3 (94.2) Danny Noppert
Raymond van Barneveld (100.5) 7 | 3 (97.7) Ian White
Final
Joe Cullen (95.5) 6 | 8 (94.4) Raymond van Barneveld
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- 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
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- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
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- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026






