Daniel Klose turned PDC Europe’s first Next Gen 170-format event into a blunt ranking statement in Ried im Innkreis.
The German swept Jaimy van de Weerd 11-0 in Sunday’s Event 8 final, claiming his third Next Gen title of the season and sixth overall on the circuit. PDC Europe confirmed that the new format started every leg from 170 and still required a double-out finish, creating a sharper finishing test than standard 501 darts.
Klose Takes Control Of The New Format
Klose’s route was ruthless. From the last 32 onwards, he dropped only 12 legs before shutting out Van de Weerd in the final, a result that moved him to the top of the Next Gen Order of Merit. The timing matters: the circuit is a route into the PDC Europe Super League picture, and Klose has now added format flexibility to his already strong season profile.
The weekend also gave Austrian darts a home headline. Patrick Reisenegger won Saturday’s Event 7 in FA Cup mode, beating Rene Eidams 6-4 after taking the final three legs. PDC Europe said Reisenegger climbed to seventh in the ranking, with fellow Austrian Patrick Tringler also inside the Super League conversation.
Why Ried Changes The Next Gen Race
The immediate consequence is pressure. Klose owns pole position, Van de Weerd remains firmly in the chase despite another heavy final defeat, and Reisenegger has turned a home weekend into a real ranking launchpad. The tour returns to Ried next weekend for Events 9 and 10, leaving little recovery time for those chasing Super League money.
Sources: PDC Europe, DartConnect rankings. Related: Tom Sykes’ ProTour chance after Bratislava.
