2011 Lakeside finalist Dean Winstanley headed the latest four players to earn PDC Tour Cards from qualifying school in Barnsley.
Winstanley joins Gray, Gilding and Smith as PDC Card winners
2011 Lakeside finalist Dean Winstanley headed the latest four players to earn PDC Tour Cards from qualifying school in Barnsley.
The 30-year-old reached the 2011 Lakeside Championship and World Masters finals, and booked his place on the PDC's £5 million circuit with a 6-1 win over Matt Clark on Saturday.
Winstanley, who performed well in the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts last November, had to come from behind in two of his games to join Adrian Gray, Andrew Gilding and Canada's Jeff Smith in grabbing tickets to the PDC.
"I'm over the moon and I feel great," Winstanley said. "Anyone who said it was going to be easy to get a Tour Card can think again because this was very hard! Matt's a tough opponent so I'm delighted I got through the last game.
"I've made a bit of name for myself in the last couple of years but this is a new challenge now and I want to do well in the PDC. I'm not saying I'm going to win majors, but my aim is to get into the top 32 inside a year."
Gray remains
The third day of Qualifying School also saw Adrian Gray preserve his status as a full professional by winning back his Tour Card.
The 30-year-old had dropped out of the world's top 64 in the past year, but defeated Lancashire's impressive Joe Murnan 6-5 in their decider - hitting two 180s in the final leg as he secured victory.
"I'd played well on Friday and in a way I expected to do well today, so it feels great," said Gray, who famously knocked Phil Taylor out of the 2007 World Grand Prix.
"On the circuit it's hard when you're getting beaten every week and you question yourself, so to win through a field like this to get my Tour Card back, you know you've earned it.
"Maybe last year I took everything for granted with getting a Tour Card but this is a fresh start for me now."
Redemption
Gilding overcame the disappointment of his defeat in Friday's decisive matches to Kurt Van De Rijck by defeating John Scott 6-3 to win his Tour Card.
"It's absolutely fantastic," he said. "I felt the pressure today after going so close on Friday, but towards the I end I was able to relax. I've had a good 18 months or so but it's a big aim for me now to make an impression as a professional."
Canada's Jeff Smith was the day's other Tour Card winner, as he joins three-time World Champion John Part in representing his country on the PDC circuit.
The 36-year-old automotive painter defeated Steve Haggerty, Belgium's Rocco Maes, Keith Stephen, Ireland's Campbell Jackson and Stephen Hardy to reach the last eight, where he saw off Ross Smith 6-2.
"It's absolutely unbelievable, I'm close to tears," said Smith. "I've been dreaming about this my whole life. I've played in the PDC's tournaments in Canada previously to see how good I am, and last August when I went to London, Ontario I knew I had to come here to Qualifying School.
"I intend to come over as much as I can and hopefully I can get the sponsorship to do the full tour. John Part's been a big inspiration for me in Canada and it will be great to play alongside him in the PDC this year."
The remaining players will return to the Barnsley Metrodome on Sunday where they will compete for the last four automatic Tour Cards.
The field will include former world number one Peter Manley, former World Matchplay winner Peter Evison, former Lakeside Champion Les Wallace and experienced professionals including Andy Jenkins, Chris Mason and Mick McGowan.
