Danny Jansen and Keane Barry claimed Winmau Development Tour titles on a thrilling opening day in Milton Keynes, as Owen Bates achieved perfection in Friday’s double-header.
The opening day of the 2024 Winmau Development Tour saw 356 players in action at the Marshall Arena, and it was in-form Dutchman Jansen and Irish World Cup star Barry who shared the spoils.
Jansen – a Players Championship title winner in April 2022 - has enjoyed a terrific start to 2024, having also celebrated a Winmau Challenge Tour triumph in January.
The Dutchman continued his scintillating form with Event One success, recovering from 4-2 down to deny his compatriot Owen Roelofs, surviving six match darts in the penultimate leg to prevail with a 99 average.
The 21-year-old produced some eye-catching displays on his way to victory at the Marshall Arena, averaging 102 in his third-round win against Patrik Williams.
The former Tour Card Holder also edged out Cam Crabtree in a last-leg decider, averaged 99 in overcoming German newcomer Paul Krohne, before recovering from 3-1 adrift to deny Daniel Perry in the semi-finals.
Roelofs, meanwhile, registered three straight whitewash wins to progress to the last 32, where he averaged 101 in an impressive 4-2 success against Ireland’s Dylan Slevin.
After accounting for Harry Gregory and Nathan Rafferty in deciding-leg tussles, the two-time UK Open qualifier later reeled off five consecutive legs in his comeback win over James Beeton in the last four.
Former UK Open semi-finalist Barry then rounded off Friday’s double-header with Event Two glory, producing a stunning 124 checkout to edge out Gian van Veen in a high-quality final.
Barry – the current world number 43 – produced a series of fine displays to clinch his sixth Development Tour crown, conceding seven legs in as many matches in reaching the Event Two showpiece.
The Irishman defied a ton-plus average from Niko Springer in round four, and after averaging 103 in a four-leg blitz of Crabtree, he swept aside Ondrej Frystacky and Bailey White en route to pocketing the £2,500 top prize.
2023 Development Tour Order of Merit winner Van Veen also impressed in progressing to the Event Two decider, averaging 101 in his third-round demolition of Revelino Dubois.
However, Bates delivered the performance of the day in Milton Keynes, landing a nine-dart finish in his 4-2 victory over Slevin, averaging 107 in the process.
Women’s World Matchplay champion Beau Greaves also impressed on her Development Tour debut, advancing to the Event Two quarter-finals after recording a ton-plus average of her own.
This weekend’s Winmau Development Tour action will continue with Events Three and Four on Saturday, with play getting underway at approximately 1030 GMT.
The top two players from the 2024 Development Tour Order of Merit will win a PDC Tour Card for 2025-26 and a place in the 2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
The event draws and results are listed in the Match Centre.
Click here for match stats through DartConnect.
2024 Winmau Development Tour
Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes
Friday February 23
Event One
Quarter-Finals
Daniel Perry 5-3 Rusty-Jake Rodriguez
Danny Jansen 5-2 Paul Krohne
Owen Roelofs 5-4 Nathan Rafferty
James Beeton 5-3 Keane Barry
Semi-Finals
Danny Jansen 5-3 Daniel Perry
Owen Roelofs 5-2 James Beeton
Final
Danny Jansen 5-4 Owen Roelofs
Event Two
Quarter-Finals
Llew Bevan 5-1 Dylan Dowling
Gian van Veen 5-2 Dominik Gruellich
Keane Barry 5-0 Ondrej Frystacky
Bailey White 5-4 Beau Greaves
Semi-Finals
Gian van Veen 5-1 Llew Bevan
Keane Barry 5-1 Bailey White
Final
Keane Barry 5-4 Gian van Veen