Grand Slam 2015 - BDO v PDC
We look at who could qualify from the 8 BDO players at the Grand Slam
The Grand Slam could pinch the nickname of one of my other favourite tournaments, the UK Open. The FA Cup of Darts it is known as, due to the underdogs getting to play the big boys. The same can be said of the Grand Slam, the BDO players are all semi-pros up against PDC players, the majority of whom are full time Pros.But the PDC have done their bit to throw in some "underdogs" from their qualifying events - Steve West, Wayne Jones, Andy Boulton and Jonny Clayton (no me neither). The BDO did the event proud due to Andy Fordham, the Viking qualifying, the scoreboard above is from his final winning game that got him to Wolverhampton.
I can't imagine many would have come up with the 4 BDO qualifiers, Fordham, Butler, Oosterhuis and van der Horst and it will be interesting to see how they fare. These four are joined by the BDO qualifiers who made it on merit, Scott Mitchell, Martin Adams, Martin Phillips and Geert de Vos.
The first target for any of the BDO qualifiers is to get out of the group. Any dreams beyond that should be on hold, it is going to be a great achievement if any of them do qualify. Who has the best chance?
The odds are for group winners:
Group A (1) Michael van Gerwen (1/4) Kim Huybrechts (7/2) Steve West (12/1) BDO Player - Mark Oosterhuis (40/1)
Oosterhuis has his work cut out here. MVG and Huybrechts look most likely.
Group B (8) Ian White (6/4) JelleKlaasen(15/8) Steve Beaton (8/1) BDO Player Martin Adams (11/4)
Wolfie can definitely cause an upset here. Beaton isn't the player he was, Jelle can be erratic and Diamond White is favourite to win the group. It is the sort of group though where there could be a few surprise results but Adams has what it takes to get something from this.
Group C (5) Adrian Lewis (8/11) Michael Smith (11/8) Wayne Jones (10/1) BDO Player Andy Fordham (33/1)
It is going to be tough for The Viking but I'm not writing him off-Lewis is favourite and Michael Smith on his day is a great player, but he can go missing. Wayne Jones hasn't been on TV for a while so a bit of an unknown quantity.
Group D (4) Peter Wright (11/8) Dave Chisnall (11/8) Mervyn King (11/2) BDO Player Scott Mitchell (7/1)
A real tough one for Scott Mitchell, the Lakeside World Champion. He was out of sorts at the Winmau Masters and unless he has been bashing the practice board he could struggle here.
Group E (2) Gary Anderson (1/3) Raymond van Barneveld (3/1) Andy Boulton(20/1) BDO Player Larry Butler (14/1)
Larry Butler rolled back the years at Hull last month and won his spot here and got to the final as a 100/1 shot at the Winmau Masters. His pace will knock Ando and Barney off kilter. Boulton is a good dart player but I fancy the Bald Eagle to do some damage in this group.
Group F (7) James Wade (4/6) Keegan Brown (3/1) Mark Webster (7/2) BDO Player Michael van der Horst (20/1)
Wade and Keegan Brown are favourites here. Webby has picked up a bit in recent times though which has been great to see. I envisage van der Horst struggling here.
Group G (6) Robert Thornton (4/6) Terry Jenkins (2/1) Jonny Clayton (16/1)BDO Player Geert De Vos (7/1)
Another contender here for a BDO player to go through. Geert De Vos is a cracking player on his day, The Thorn is quality of course but Jenkins and Clayton are both beatable.
Group H (3) Phil Taylor (2/7) Rowby-John Rodriguez (8/1) Robbie Green (8/1)BDO Player Martin Phillips (7/1)
Another great group this one! Martin Phillips has played Robbie Green many times so that will not faze him. In fact nothing phases him, he will just throw his darts and see what happens. In fact an on form Phillips possibly has the best chance of all the BDO players of grabbing the 2nd spot after The Power.
Summing up, Adams, Phillips, De Vos and Butler have the best chance of getting through, in that order, in my opinion. Scotty needs to have upped his practice to stand a chance and I see wooden spoons for the rest. Whatever happens though it is great to see the two codes mixing it on the big stage.