Challenge Tour 1-5 - Names to look out for

 The new season has already begun, with the PDC World Championship and Q-School already done and dusted. WDF will start shortly and Modus is in its second week, so we turn to the first Challenge Tour weekend, incorporating events 1-5. 

Which names will show early promise? Will any of the players that have just lost their Tour card,bounce straight back? And will any newcomers and/or youngsters come flying through?

Here's a list of 10 players to follow this weekend:

Andreas Harrysson

Harrysson narrowly missed out at Q-School, despite being one of the favourites to qualify. Hopefully he won't let this get to him and can get off to a strong start in 2025. He has the ability to challenge at the top end of the Challenge Tour. Occasionally he falls short just at the end of tournaments, but some consistent performances over the weekend could see him in a solid position. 

Jimmy van Schie

Another player that was heavily tipped to qualify from Q-School. He was also favourite for the WDF World Championship, but fell short. I believe these near misses will only make him stronger. He will be determined to make the Pro Tour in 2026 and definitely has the ability. This could be a good year for the Dutchman

Daniel Klose

Klose made a late run for a qualifying place at Q-School, but just fell short. He is a player that has just dropped off the Main Tour, but is more than capable or bouncing straight back. He will want to be performing well this weekend to get high up on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit, to earn Pro Tour spots as and when they arise. Sometimes underrated among the large wave of German players, but he is right up there with any of them 

Jeroen Mioch

Mioch has been around for quite some time, without really breaking through. Looking at his performance stats at the recent Q School, he was among the best. In particular with his scoring. If he can gain some early wins, this could set him up for a successful start.  He could be the surprise package this year. 

Anton Ostlund

There appears to be a resurgence in Swedish darts currently, with Viktor Tingstrom and Oskar Lukasiak making the Pro Tour and Andreas Harrysson not far behind .Anton Ostlund can also be added to the list. He was another that came so close to making it through Q-School, with leg difference costing him. He is an up and coming player and played well on the Development Tour last year. If he keeps improving, he will be a tough opponent. I expect him to go well this weekend. 

Jamie Atkins

One of the best UK players not to qualify from Q School, Jamie Atkins will be one of the front runners on the Challenge Tour in 2025. Ultra consistent and improving all the time. He has also been one of the top performers on the county scene and has the ability to make the pro Tour. 

Tom Sykes

Another quality player that was very unlucky not to make it through Q School. Sykes had a good 2024, in particular in the Modus Super Series. Q School may just have been a blip, and he has enough in his armoury to position himself at the top end of the Challenge Tour Order of Merit. Another very consistent player. 

Lee Evans

Evans recently dropped off the Pro Tour, but he has the ability and game to bounce straight back. He has been in this position before and will know all about the Challenge Tour. A very experienced player, he will not be overawed by the Challenge Tour and I can see a very consistent year ahead. I expect to see him at the top end of the Order of Merit, come November.

Graham Hall

Like Lee Evans, Graham Hall has just dropped outside of the Pro Tour. He played well in his two years on the Tour and is definitely still good enough to make a quick return. Ideally Hall will want to perform well in these first few events to gain confidence and put the pressure on the others. 

Henry Coates

Coates has been improving steadily year on year. He has had some good results in the Modus Super Series and performed very well on the Development Tour in 2024, finishing in 12th position. He also had a good Q School, showing that he is in good form. If he plays enough Challenge Tour events, he could finish well on the Order of Merit.