Dave Chisnall has returned to the world’s top six after clinching his second European Tour title of 2024 at last weekend’s inaugural Flanders Darts Trophy.
Chisnall secured his third PDC ranking title of the year with victory in Antwerp, overcoming James Wade, Gabriel Clemens, Peter Wright, Chris Dobey and Ricardo Pietreczko to become only the fourth player in PDC history to capture eight European Tour titles.
The St Helens star posted ton-topping averages in 6-2 wins over Wade and Clemens, before edging out a resurgent Wright in a deciding-leg shoot-out to reach the last four.
Chisnall then averaged 101 and landed eight 180s in his semi-final success against Dobey, and he capped off a superb campaign with a battling 8-6 victory over Pietreczko, winning four of the last five legs to triumph.
Pietreczko was bidding to become the first German player to win multiple European Tour titles, and he marked his return to form with impressive wins against Andrew Gilding, Danny Noppert, Dirk van Duijvenbode and world number one Luke Humphries.
The 29-year-old averaged 104.92 and crashed in seven 180s to win through a thrilling semi-final against Humphries, and he climbs two places to 31st on the PDC Order of Merit after pocketing the £12,000 runner-up prize.
Ross Smith has reclaimed a place in the world’s top ten at the expense of Wright – who fell short in his bid for back-to-back titles – while Josh Rock has moved into the world’s top 16 for the first time in his career, leapfrogging Joe Cullen in the process.
The PDC Order of Merit comprises prize money won over a two-year period by players in PDC ranking events
The PDC Order of Merit will next be open to change from September 17-18, as Players Championships 20-21 take place at Wigan’s Robin Park Tennis Centre.
