Following on from Ricardo Pitrezcko’s miraculous triumph in the 2023 German Open, the PDC Tour is coming close to an end for another year. It’s been perhaps the most engrossing year the tour has seen in quite some time, with 10 different players winning the 13 prestigious European events. From record breakers, breakout stars and returning favourites, here’s the top 5 best players from this year’s PDC Tour.
5) Dirk Van Duijvenbode: One of the most prolific 180 hitters around today, it feels like a matter of when rather than if Dirk Van Duijvenbode begins to dominate the touring circuits like his compatriot Michael Van Gerwen has done so effortlessly in the past.
Often falling to eventual finalists (and perhaps to Luke Humphries more than he would've liked), the Aubergenius remains a delight to watch on any stage, and his top 10 status on the Euro Tour is definitely a sign of greatness to come.
4) Krzysztof Ratajski: Perhaps not as prolific and successful as some of the other names on this list, the levels that Ratajski has forced some of the world’s best to reach to even beat him has been nothing short of remarkable.
The winner of the German Darts Open against Stephen Bunting, the Polish Eagle's averages have been nothing short of phenomenal, and is surely a dark horse to scoop one of the last majors of the darting season.
3) Gerwyn Price: In any other normal year, the Iceman would be by far the most consistent player in every tournament and series of events he plays in.
Most notably winning back-to-back players' championship events very recently, Price perhaps shows his edge over the likes of Van Gerwen and Smith as one of the sport's elite talents who doesn't let themselves slip on the minor stage all too often.
📊 Krzysztof Ratajski has lost seven matches in PC and Euro Tour tournaments since 18th February. These are the averages it's taken to beat him -
— Darts Orakel (@DartsOrakel) April 16, 2023
110.72
109.03
105.99
104.84
99.98
99.77
95.76
🇵🇱🦅 pic.twitter.com/dhTAgxkI7E
2) Luke Humphries: If 2022 was the year Michael Smith finally made it in the PDC and broke through the glass ceiling, then 2023 will no doubt be looked back upon as the year of Luke Humphries, exemplified by his stellar efforts on the Pro and European Tour circuits.
Recording the most 180s ever seen in a European Tour season, and with no other player reaching as many event finals as Cool Hand, the tour could be the perfect catalyst in making a truly legendary darting career.
1) Dave Chisnall: Whilst a major trophy still eludes the 43-year-old at this stage of his career, Dave Chisnall is the runaway top earner from this year’s European Tour, and has the event success to more than justify it.
Reaching four televised finals and winning three of them, each of them coincidentally against the aforementioned Humphries, Chisnall sits comfortably atop the tour order of merit, and has also showcased his immense proficiency when it comes to hitting 180s, setting himself up with the 5th all time best season.
Who do you think has been the best player on this year's touring events? Let us know your thoughts today!
By Jaspar Shepherdson
Luke Humphries sets a new standard for 180s on the European Tour beating MvG's 5-year old record. Also notable, Dave Chisnall and Dirk van Duijvenbode reached the top10 this year.#GDC23 I #Darts I #ET13 pic.twitter.com/ZmnuHubjqO
— TheRedBit 🔴 (@TheRedBit180) October 15, 2023
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