Raymond van Barneveld and Terry Jenkins have been awarded prized wildcard spots for the 2011 Premier League.
The Team Unicorn duo will be joined by Simon Whitlock and Welshman Mark Webster as the four wildcards for this year’s tournament, which starts on February 10 at London’s O2 Arena.
They will join the new World top 4 in the lucrative tournament….Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, James Wade and Gary Anderson.
It looks like the best PL line-up in the seven years of the event!
The choice of Barneveld is no surprise….the Dutchman dropping outside the top four in the world after losing to Gary Anderson in the quarter-finals of the World Championship.
But he is still hugely popular with the crowds up and down the UK and the ‘Barney Army’ will flock to all the arena’s to cheer on the Dutchman.
It will be Barneveld’s 6th Premier League appearance, as he bids to reach the final for the first time. He has lost in four semi-finals.
For Jenkins, it is a 5th year in the Premier League and he will be delighted to get a wildcard. His position was very much in doubt, but his run to the semi-finals at the Alexandra Palace clinched his place.
‘The Bull’ was runner-up in the 2006 Premier League
Of course, Phil Taylor has won five Premier League titles, including last year’s memorable final when he hit two 9-darters in that victory over James Wade.
Wade has won the title once, when he beat Mervyn King two years ago.
Mark Webster will be one of two PL debutants…..the Welshman earning his spot after beating Taylor at the Ally Pally and reaching the World Championship semi-finals for the second consecutive year.
Scot Gary Anderson will also make his first appearance after climbing up to No.4 in the world by reaching the World Championship Final.
Of course, new World Champion Adrian Lewis will take on Taylor on the opening night in front of more than 10,000 darts crazy fans at the )2 next month.
Tickets are still available…..check details on www.pdc.tv
By STUART PYKE
Pictures courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC