Raymond van Barneveld Falters in Hungarian Darts Trophy Qualifier

**Raymond van Barneveld** was eliminated in the first round of the Hungarian Darts Trophy Tour Card Holder Qualifier on **8 Jul 2026**, missing a spot in the European Tour event slated for 28‑30 Aug in Budapest.

The qualifier, held in Leicester, offered ten places for the upcoming European Tour stop. Van Barneveld faced a tough draw and lost his opening match, joining fellow veteran Peter Wright in an early exit. No specific leg score was released, but the defeat confirmed that neither Dutch legend would travel to Hungary.

At 53, van Barneveld relies on Tour Card events to maintain his ranking and secure prize money. An early loss chips away at his Order of Merit points and raises questions about his form ahead of the season’s final stretch. With the Budapest leg promising a hefty prize pool, missing out could affect his seeding for future tournaments.

Beau Greaves made history, becoming the first woman to qualify for a European Tour event after a 6‑4 win over Tom Bissell, averaging 103. Cristo Reyes also booked a spot, cruising 6‑1 over an opponent and joining the Budapest field. Other qualifiers included Keane Barry, Ritchie Edhouse, Tom Sykes, Maik Kuivenhoven, Adam Leek, James Hurrell and Connor Scutt, each earning a place with narrow victories.

Van Barneveld will need to regroup quickly. The PDC schedule lists a series of Players Championship events in September, offering another chance to earn a Tour Card slot. Analysts suggest a focus on short‑format practice could help him sharpen his checkout percentages before the next qualifier.

With Greaves breaking new ground and Reyes returning to form, the Budapest leg promises a mix of fresh talent and seasoned pros. Van Barneveld’s absence opens a lane for a lower‑ranked player to break through, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape for the upcoming European Tour stop.