Darts star warned he’s in ‘serious trouble’ of losing PDC Tour Card

Belgian darts player Dimitri Van den Bergh is at risk of losing his place on the PDC Tour.

This is the view of former pro Matt Edgar, who is concerned for Van den Bergh’s form over the last 12 months heading into the UK Open.

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Once ranked as high as world no.5, Van den Bergh triumphed at the UK Open two years ago but he’s suffered five consecutive first-round defeats at Players Championship events this season.

Prior to this, the 31-year-old also suffered a brutal early exit at the World Darts Championship in December.

He was thumped 3-0 by unknown Darren Beveridge in the opening match of the campaign, where he admitted he lacked self-belief.

It rounded off a difficult 2025 for Van den Bergh, who failed to qualify for five major televised tournaments, and took a two-month career break during this time for a ‘mental reset’.

Ranking risk

With the UK Open getting underway on Friday, Van den Bergh heads to Butlins Minehead with plenty on the line.

PDC world rankings are determined via prize money won by players at ranking tournaments over a two-year period, meaning he is effectively defending his 2024 prize money.

Van den Bergh pocketed £110,000 with UK Open glory two years ago, which accounts for 32.84 per cent of the total prize money on his ranking.

Currently 26th on the PDC Order of Merit, the ‘Dreammaker’ needs to progress deep into the tournament to avoid a dropping out of top 64-ranked players, which would see him lose his Tour Card.

‘All over the place’

The high stakes surrounding Van den Bergh’s UK Open campaign have sparked concerns from former Tour Card holder Edgar.

Previewing the tournament on Edgar TV, he said: “There is £110,000 due to come off the Order of Merit for Dimitri Van den Bergh. 

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“He can genuinely lose his Tour Card this year if things go against him. 

“The way he is playing at the moment, you wouldn’t suggest he is going to pick up the prize money to make himself any safer. 

“He is due to drop even further – estimating here coming down towards the 38–40 position – which means he won’t be seeded for the World Championship.

“He is not in the World Matchplay or the World Grand Prix, so money is coming off all year for Dimitri van den Bergh.”

Van der Bergh been handed a boost ahead of the UK Open, with his status as a top 32 player meaning he enters the draw in round four.

But Edgar warned the two-time major winner’s recent struggles at the oche give him a slim chance of success in this year’s tournament.

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He continued: “He is in serious trouble. I recently commentated on Dimitri van den Bergh on the ProTour. 

“The throw was pretty much all over the place. It wasn’t quite there, so there are worrying signs for Dimitri Van den Bergh.” 

Prior to his dip in form, Van den Bergh previously picked up major wins at the World Matchplay, as well as UK Open.

He has also appeared in eight World Cup of Darts campaigns, reaching the semi-finals four times, and competed in the Premier League Darts in 2021 and 2023.