BRADFORD thrower Joe Cullen brought a difficult 30-round season of the PDC Players Championship to an end yesterday, but he ended things on a lovely, lighter note.
One of darts’ most enduring personalities, Steve Beaton, is retiring at the age of 60, with yesterday’s action in Leicester marking his final-ever appearance on the Pro Tour.
Cullen, along with the likes of Chris Dobey and Ross Smith, is close friends with the veteran player, and those three, as well as a few other darting professionals, dressed up as Beaton for the event.
It was a surprise gesture, with the 60-year-old overwhelmed and honoured by the tribute.
Great day and full respect to all the players. Thanks for a great send off 👋👋👋 pic.twitter.com/NFEZKS5WZQ
— Stevebeaton (@Stevebeaton180) October 31, 2024
As for the action itself, Cullen impressed with an average north of 95 in beating Martin Lukeman 6-3 in his opening game.
He was somewhat edgier against Rowby-John Rodriguez in his second match, but came through to win 6-4.
But the Wyke ace’s tournament ended at the last-32 stage, as he fell to a 6-3 defeat against Martin Schindler.
Josh Rock won the tournament, beating Jonny Clayton 8-7 in a superb final which saw both players average well over 100.
Cullen did not last long in Leicester the day before at Players Championship 29, playing below-par and losing 6-5 at the first hurdle to Daniel Klose.
An emotional Cameron Menzies won his first-ever Pro Tour title at the event, the Scot beating Stephen Bunting 8-4 in the final.
Those last two Players Championship floor events have helped decide the seedings for the marquee Players Championship Finals later this month.
A first-round defeat for Beaton yesterday against Niels Zonneveld means he will not be involved, but he bowed out with a celebratory meal anyway:
Another great night with the lads. Thank you 👋👋👋 pic.twitter.com/CrRf5OBl1C
— Stevebeaton (@Stevebeaton180) October 31, 2024
Cullen is playing, but his poor year on the PDC Pro Tour means he has only scraped into the field as the 60th seed.
And as the fifth-lowest ranked player at the tournament, it means his opener has to be against the fifth-highest ranked player.
That is his good friend Dave Chisnall, with the pair facing off in a repeat of the Masters final in 2022, the scene of Cullen’s greatest darting triumph to date.
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