Martin Schindler has climbed to a career-high of world number 18 after clinching his fourth PDC ranking title in Graz last weekend.
Schindler defeated Matthew Dennant, Kevin Doets, Chris Dobey, Josh Rock and Ross Smith to lift the Austrian Darts Open, running out an 8-4 winner against Smith in Sunday’s showpiece.
The 28-year-old claimed a brace of European Tour titles in 2024, and his latest triumph elevates him into the world’s top 20, above Ryan Searle, Michael Smith and Dimitri Van den Bergh.
Elsewhere, Ross Smith remains in 17th position on the PDC Order of Merit, despite advancing to his third European Tour final in Graz.
The former European Champion kicked off his campaign with victory over Chris Landman, before accounting for Peter Wright, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Ryan Joyce to pocket the £12,000 runner-up prize.
Dave Chisnall was beaten by Joyce in the last 16 of the Austrian Darts Open, and the St Helens star has now slipped three places to 12th on the Order of Merit.
Chris Dobey, James Wade and Gerwyn Price have subsequently jumped above the six-time TV finalist, with Wade returning to the world’s top ten for the first time since March 2023.
The PDC Order of Merit comprises prize money won over a two-year period by players in PDC ranking events - click here to view the full PDC Order of Merit.
The PDC Order of Merit will next be open to change this weekend, when the European Darts Grand Prix (ET6) takes place in Sindelfingen from May 2-4 - watch live on PDCTV.
