Darts stars in relegation trouble: The battle to stay on the PDC's Pro Tour

As the PDC elite head to the seaside for a shot at prestigious World Matchplay glory, there’s a more sobering reality for those at the other end of the spectrum – the ones fighting to hang on to their professional status.

For many, it’s a sunny stroll down Blackpool beachfront on the horizon. But for others languishing outside the top 64 on the Order of Merit, it’s a precarious glance into the water from the edge of the pier. 

Celebrity, popularity or past achievements are no insurance against the cold reality of finishing outside that top echelon. Among 2025’s threatened names are some pretty notable arrowsmiths desperate for a profitable back end to the year. Darts World takes a look at a few:

José de Sousa - PDC Major Champion

Rewind half a decade, and few players – if any – were chucking like The Special One (main image). In 2020, the Portuguese enigma was flying high and banging in 180s for fun en route to claiming the World Grand Prix. 

The following year, he came close to adding the Premier League crown to his résumé – beaten by Jonny Clayton in the final, in a season where he also bagged a hat-trick of Players Championship titles.

But that seemed to mark the beginning of the decline. Now 51, José attributed the slump to side effects from the COVID jab. Other suggested he may have disproportionately benefitted form the special conditions imposed during the height of the pandemic restrictions.

Apart from a decent run to the semi-finals at the Masters and a quarter-final spot at the Matchplay, 2022 was a barren year for the popular Iberian.

Since then, there have been too many early exits in floor and Euro Tour events – not what you’d expect from a player of his calibre. Naturally, poor results hit confidence hard, and that appears to be the case here. Aside from World Cup appearances, De Sousa has been a notable absentee from the major TV events – and that’s where the big money is.

Currently just over £30k below the dreaded drop zone, it's a tough ask if you’re not making it onto the televised stage. But there have been recent signs of life – glimmers of that sparkling 2020 form. Now, it just needs to be consistent if he’s to hold on to his golden PDC ticket.

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Jelle Klaasen - Former World Champion

PDC Europe

For The Cobra, it’s been a frustrating return. After regaining his Tour Card at the 2024 Q-School, Klaasen has struggled to rediscover the electric form that once made him one of the most dangerous and exciting players on the circuit. 

Of course, his crowning moment came at the 2006 BDO World Championship. But that Lakeside triumph is now nearly two decades ago – and most of his other memorable runs on TV are long in the past. There’s no doubt Klaasen still has class on his day, but those glimpses are all too rare. His climb is even steeper than De Sousa’s, with a few more grand between him and safety. 

That said, opportunities outside the main PDC circuit are plentiful. Even if the North Brabant man loses his card, he’s almost certain to return to Q-School and push for a strong showing on the Challenge Tour.

Beyond that, there are other avenues – ones Jelle has wandered down before and even bought the t-shirt. He’ll be fine whatever happens. At just 40, there’s still plenty of time to remind us of his immense talent.

Jim Williams -World Finalist and Multiple Tour Winner

Perhaps not be as decorated as some, but Jim Williams makes this list purely on personal insight – because he’s far better than his results suggest. The Quiff first made waves by winning the 2019 BDO World Trophy, then almost grabbed the big one a year later, narrowly losing the Lakeside final to compatriot Wayne Warren in a high-quality showdown.

After failing at Q-School in 2020 and 2021, Williams topped the Challenge Tour and avoided the arduous headache of going back again. And it didn’t take him long to make a mark on the senior circuit – just six events in and he picked up a title.

Since then, though, things have stalled. This year alone, he’s yet to claim a single board win at any Players Championship event. Ask Jim if he’s worried about dropping off the tour, and he’d probably just shrug – such is the calm, relaxed nature of the bloke.

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Given the choice, he’d rather be at home with wife Natalie and young son Max, or busy in his workshop running a successful business. So for Jim, it might not be such a blow. Financially, he’s sound – and he’s never enjoyed being away from his family for long anyway. On his day, he can still beat the very best – and he’s proven it.

Can any of the three turn it around and avoid the painful drop, will they seek an immediate return or sample the other tungsten temptations now available and who will join them?

2025 PDC World Ranking (50-70)

50 Ian White £118,750

51 Florian Hempel £108,750

52 Jose De Sousa £108,250

53 Matt Campbell £102,500

54 Keane Barry £101,500

55 Alan Soutar £98,500

56 Connor Scutt £97,250

57 Jim Williams £95,500

58 Rob Owen £94,000

59 Jeffrey De Graaf £93,500

60 Nick Kenny £90,500

61 Ryan Meikle £86,500

61 Stephen Burton £86,500

63 Mensur Suljovic £84,750

64 Thibault Tricole £78,750

65 Dylan Slevin £77,250

66 Dom Taylor £68,000

67 James Hurrell £67,500

68 M Vandenbogaerde £58,250

69 Chris Landman £52,750

70 Niko Springer £43,750

71 Andy Baetens £42,000

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