Dave Chisnall is on the verge of missing the World Matchplay for the first time in 15 years, with the cut-off looming. He sits just over £5k outside the spots and is just outside the top 16 for the ProTour.
What happened?
Damon Heta is currently in the 16th and final spot, which is a surprise given his usual high rankings in the ProTour. Other players like Cameron Menzies, Daryl Gurney, Joe Cullen, and Ryan Joyce will likely squeak in through this route.
Kim Huybrechts, who has had a renaissance since fighting for his Tour Card, sits just behind Chisnall and would need a title or two late runs to trouble the top 16. Sebastian Bialecki, Karel Sedlacek, and Jeffrey de Graaf will also just miss out.
Who tops each Order of Merit?
Luke Littler, the defending champion, tops each Order of Merit, along with fellow former winner Luke Humphries. Michael van Gerwen, James Wade, Gary Anderson, and Nathan Aspinall also figure in the seeds.
Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price, Wessel Nijman, and Ross Smith are also in the mix. Aspinall looks secure in 16th, while Rob Cross has kicked into gear and is now sixth in the ProTour standings.
Who debuts and who misses out?
William O'Connor makes his debut, along with Kevin Doets and Niels Zonneveld. However, Michael Smith, Peter Wright, and Dimitri van den Bergh will miss out, with Smith and Wright being former winners.
Raymond van Barneveld is also a high-profile absentee, and it seems like a changing of the guard is underway, with new players like Luke Woodhouse, Wessel Nijman, Doets, and Zonneveld leading the charge.
What comes next?
The final two events before the cut-off will take place in Leicester between 6-7 July. Chisnall will need to perform well to have any chance of making the World Matchplay. The ProTour Order of Merit will also play a crucial role in determining the final spots.
The World Matchplay race is heating up, and Chisnall's fate hangs in the balance. With just over a week to go before the cut-off, he will need to produce some impressive results to avoid missing out for the first time in 15 years.
As of 24 June 2026, the Main Order of Merit and ProTour Order of Merit will determine the final spots. Chisnall's ranking and recent performances will be closely watched as the deadline approaches.
The pressure is on for Chisnall to deliver, and his fans will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of the upcoming events. Will he be able to turn his fortunes around and make the World Matchplay, or will he miss out for the first time in 15 years?