Dave Chisnall, Shaun Griffiths, Shane O'Connor and James Richardson were the first four players to win a PDC ProTour Card.
Former Lakeside finalist secures PDC card for 2011 season
Dave Chisnall, Shaun Griffiths, Shane O'Connor and James Richardson were the first four players to win a PDC ProTour Card at Qualifying School on Thursday.
The first of four days in the PDC's inaugural Q School at Wigan's Robin Park Tennis Centre saw 106 players competing for the first places on the main tour this year.
Chisnall, the 2010 Lakeside Championship runner-up, defeated Terry Temple 6-2 in his decisive game to secure a place on the PDC circuit, with a Tour Card entitling him entry to all events on the £1 million-plus PDC ProTour this year.
The 30-year-old from St Helens also defeated Steve Watts, Gary O'Donnell, Mark Jodrill and Gary Eastwood in an impressive showing.
"It feels good and I'm looking forward to a new start," said Chisnall. "I knew it would be hard but I was feeling good coming into this and played well."
Teenager
Griffiths, a 19-year-old from Partington in Manchester who played in the PDC Unicorn Under-21 World Championship last November and also competed recently in the Lakeside Championship, was another to stand out.
He whitewashed Martyn Bevan and Jimmy Mann and also defeated Simon Stainton and Andy Pearce before picking up a 6-1 win against Mark Jones in his decisive game.
"I'm delighted," said Griffiths. "It's a great opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to the year.
"With the PDC's Youth Tour also being announced recently I'll be able to get lots of experience this year."
Irish youngster O'Connor, a 25-year-old who played at the 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship, defeated Manchester's Peter Hudson 6-4 in his decisive game.
Whitewash
He whitewashed Simon Jones and Geoff Whitworth in his opening two games and overcame Andy Brown and Paul Rowley 6-3 before seeing off Hudson.
Northamptonshire's James Richardson, a 37-year-old from Rushden, was the day's fourth qualifier as he defeated Northern Ireland's Michael Mansell 6-2.
Richardson also picked up wins over Tony Blundell, Jason Crawley, Jamie Atkins and Scott Marsh on the day, as he ensured himself a spot on the professional circuit.
South Africa's Devon Petersen, who competed recently in the World Championship, reached the last 16 before losing to Mark Jones.
The remaining players return for the second of four days in Q School on Friday, with a further four Tour Cards on offer plus Q School Ranking Points.
