Former Lakeside Champions Earn PDC Tour Cards as Q-School Reaches Its Climax

Jimmy Van Schie and Shane McGuirk, the last two champions of the Lakeside world darts tournament, have secured their first-ever PDC Tour cards on the second-to-last day of the Q-School competition. Van Schie, who recently won the WDF World Darts Championship, was defeated by 18-year-old Yorick Hofkens in the semi-finals of the European qualifying school but still managed to guarantee a card through the event's Order of Merit. Hofkens will join 44-year-old Matthias Ehlers on the Pro Tour, while McGuirk, the 2024 WDF champion, earned his place on the tour by beating Charlie Manby in their semi-final match at the UK Q-School in Milton Keynes. Tom Sykes also secured a tour card by defeating Stephen Burton. The final day of Q-School will see two more cards awarded at each venue to the winning semi-finalists, with additional places available via the Order of Merits. Manby remains in contention for a card after rising to 10th place on the UK Order of Merit, while Steve Beaton's hopes of returning to the tour were dealt a blow following a round-one exit.