PDC qualifying school: Four players win Tour Cards on the first day
Thursday 14 January 2016 10:38, UK
John Bowles, Andy Parson, Ricky Williams and Simon Stevenson won Tour Cards at PDC qualifying school, but Ross Smith fell short after hitting a nine-darter.
On the first of four days of action, a field of 371 players from as far afield as Australia, America, Japan and South Africa competed in Wigan for the opportunity to earn a full-time spot on the PDC ProTour.
Former rugby league player Bowles won back his Tour Card status at the first time of asking after dropping out of the world's top 64 at the end of 2015.
Bristol-based plumber Parsons was another player who regained his card to remain on the PDC ProTour, while Portsmouth's Williams and Plymouth-based Stevenson also came through seven matches.
But there was disappointment for Smith, who completed a perfect leg during a 5-0 whitewash of Ryan De Vreede, only to bow out following a defeat to Parsons.
The 2016 PDC Qualifying School continues on Thursday, with a further four automatic Tour Cards on offer, and ranking points are also being given to players based on their finishing positions.
