CHISNALL TARGETS PRO TOUR SUCCESS
10/02/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
By Aaron Nijjar
DAVE CHISNALL expressed his frustration with the Winmau World Masters format as he looks to target success at the Players Championship.
The Morecambe thrower exited the first round of the World Masters for the first time since 2018 as he suffered a 3-1 defeat to Scotsman Cameron Menzies. ‘Chizzy’ has endured a difficult start to the season, having been knocked out in the first round of the World Championship by Ricky Evans.
The six-time Major finalist revealed his frustration at exiting the Masters early and at the new best-of-three-legs set play.
He told Kwiff: “It wasn’t a fun first outing on the road this year, with the long trip to MIlton Keynes ultimately for nought and me going out in the first round of the Winmau World Masters.
“Cam (Menzies) didn’t even have to play great, and I could never get into a rhythm on stage. It will get better, and easier, once the new season gets into the swing of things, but it’s still frustrating all the same.”
He added: “The atmosphere was bizarre too, and I can’t remember ever playing in front of a flatter crowd for a big TV event. I don’t know whether it was the change of format, with the new two legs to win a set setup, but it just didn’t click down there.
“I know I sound like a bit of a fossil when moaning about the tinkering of formats, and I get the PDC are under pressure to try and reinvent the wheel, but if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
Chisnall has been the number-one ranked player on the PDC Pro Tour over the last two years. He has claimed four Players Championship titles and finished as a runner-up in four more, proving his dominance on the circuit.
World No.7 Chisnall now hopes to continue his great form on the floor this year. He Said: “The Players Championship was very good to me last year and I’m looking forward to being able to play in the opening two events.
“My game is in good nick, and I’ve got a good record in Wigan. I know my results towards the back-end of the season didn’t reflect it, but I thought I was actually playing OK. Most of the hard work is between the ears, so hopefully the right mindset will go a long way.
“I won a lot of cash on the floor 2023/2024, so have a bit of defend to keep myself high up on the Order of Merit.”
The Players Championship 1 commenced today (Monday), marking the start of the new season, with the second event set to take place tomorrow (Tuesday).
Image by Taylor Lanning.
