DOBEY IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP CRISIS WITH PLACE UNDER THREAT

CHRIS DOBEY faces a European Championship nightmare with his place in the major hanging by the thinnest of threads. 

World No. 8 Dobey has endured a difficult run on the Euro Tour this year, bowing out in round two on SEVEN occasions and still searching for his first-ever title on the circuit. 

‘Hollywood’ sits 30th in the European Championship Order of Merit, just £2.5k clear of Raymond van Barneveld, who is poised to pounce just outside the cut-off in 33rd with three events remaining. 

Former pro Matt Edgar reckons the hectic calendar may have taken its toll on Dobey. 

He said: “He may go up there with a few negative thoughts beyond this game as well because his position in the European Championship is not safe. 

“He is currently sat at 30 in the Order of Merit. It was during the Premier League campaign for Chris Dobey that it’s not quite happening for him on the Euro Tour. 

“He was just unable to get the wins. It’s not like he was playing bad during that time — he was still doing well on the ProTour and picked up a title. 

“Dobey was playing well in the Premier League, it was just the quick turnaround to get over to the European Tour, he was not picking up the victories. 

“He is going to have to do it at the backend of the year.” 

Dobey’s best finish came back in July at the Baltic Sea Open, where he reached the semi-finals before crashing out 7-3 to eventual winner Gerwyn Price. 

Bedlington thrower Dobey last failed to qualify for the Euros in 2021 but this season he is on the brink of missing out again. 

However, the 35-year-old has still enjoyed a strong campaign elsewhere, landing two Players Championship titles. 

Dobey also made the semi-final of the World Championships, yet he hasn’t gone beyond the quarters in his last three majors.

Image by Taylor Lanning.