Noppert and Dolan Secure Grand Slam Spots

Winmau duo Danny Noppert and Brendan Dolan were amongst the 8 players to secure spots at the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts after coming through the Tour Card Qualifier in Barnsley, with the lineup now complete ahead of the start next Saturday at Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton.

The Freeze will be a seed for the event so is into Pot 1 ahead of the group stage draw, whilst 2016 Quarter Finalist Dolan is placed into Pot 3 along with compatriot Josh Rock, and recent European Championship Semi Finalist Gian van Veen who will make his debut this weekend.

Noppert who reached the Last 16 12 months ago, will hope to go deep in the Grand Slam of Darts after enjoying a successful spell at the European Championship, defeating Andrew Gilding with a 106+ average whilst also claiming the scalps of former World Champions Rob Cross and Gerwyn Price, in reaching his first Semi Final in the competition.

Dolan continues to enjoy his darts on the PDC Circuit, winning on the Pro Tour last year as well as defeating Michael van Gerwen 10-7 in the opening round of this year’s World Matchplay in Blackpool.

Former UK Open Champion Danny, opened his campaign with victory over Robert Owen before producing his best average of the day, scoring 99.08 to defeat Rusty-Jake Rodriguez 5-3 in the Last 32 at the Barnsley Metrodome.

The Freeze was defeated by Alan Soutar at the last World Championship, but it was revenge on this occasion with Noppert securing a 5-2 win, after the Scotsman had just averaged 110 to beat Martin Lukeman 5-3 in the previous round.

The Dutchman secures a place at his 5^th Grand Slam where he will be the 7^th Seed, starting his campaign in Group F at Aldersley Leisure Village.

Brendan opened his campaign with a 100.65 average in defeating Red Dragon player and Pro Tour Event 1 Finalist Jamie Hughes 5-2, before beating former Austrian World Cup of Darts Runner Up Mensur Suljovic 5-3 despite averaging 6 points lower than The Gentle.

The History Maker’s place at the Grand Slam of Darts was confirmed with a 5-3 victory over Richard Veenstra, averaging 94.41 at the Barnsley Metrodome. Dolan’s compatriot Nathan Rafferty, Damon Heta, Ryan Searle, Stephen Bunting, Steve Lennon and Martijn Kleermaker were the other successful players in securing a spot in Wolverhampton.

The Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts starts on the 11^{th of} November from Aldersley Leisure Village Live on Sky Sports, with the draw for the Group Stage taking place on Monday.

By Harry Masterson

 

2023 Grand Slam of Darts PDC Tour Card Qualifier Results:

 

Last 16:

 

Danny Noppert 5-2 Alan Soutar

Stephen Bunting 5-2 Martin Schindler

Ryan Searle 5-4 Rowby-John Rodriguez

Nathan Rafferty 5-4 Ross Smith

Damon Heta 5-4 Connor Scutt

Steve Lennon 5-2 James Wilson

Martijn Kleermaker 5-2 Kim Huybrechts

Brendan Dolan 5-3 Richard Veenstra 

 

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