The PDC World Darts Championship is now in full swing and on Day Three the shocks have continued to leave the Alexandra Palace crowd absolutely stunned.
The 24th seed Mike De Decker has seen his Christmas well and truly ruined by Luke Woodhouse after the Englishman sent him packing in the second round on Tuesday afternoon.
In the final game of the session, De Decker suffered the same fate as James Wade who was defeated at the second round stage for the third year running in Monday afternoon’s main event.
Woodhouse played solid if unspectacular to beat the player who stunned Luke Humphries back in October to win the World Grand Prix and claim a first major television title.
Typically, that would be enough to secure a place in the Premier League but this showing on the biggest stage won’t have done his chances any help at all.
Matthew Edgar makes Premier League prediction after Mike De Decker exits World Darts Championship
It goes without saying that this wasn’t in the script. Woodhouse is a solid player but not many will have been pencilling him in to defeat De Decker given the form he’s shown prior to the tournament.
But, the Belgian just never got going up on the main stage and in the end it was Woodhouse who set up a clash against either Connor Scutt or Damon Heta after the Christmas break.
Edgar thinks that despite his exploits at the World Grand Prix, his place in the money-spinning Premier League that all the top players crave, is now in serious jeopardy.
Speaking before De Decker had officially lost, Edgar posted on X: “If Mike De Decker doesn’t turn this around and with how heavy the World Darts Championship is, that could be his Premier League hopes gone. Thoughts?”
At this time of the year, players and pundits start to speculate who might be in and speaking after his win last night, Gerwyn Price is of the belief that he will make the cut, despite his poor year.
De Decker has awful World Darts Championship record
Many tipsters were of the belief that De Decker looked very good value this tournament and were fancying each way numbers on him going all the way.
However, De Decker has exited early at the Ally Pally once again and he’s still never returned after Christmas to carry on in this tournament.
| Year | Opponent | Score |
| 2021 | Edward Foulkes | L 0-3 |
| 2022 | Dave Chisnall | L 0-3 |
| 2023 | Mensur Suljovic | L 0-3 |
| 2024 | Madars Razma | L 1-3 |
| 2025 | Luke Woodhouse | L 1-3 |
Given that he claimed a first major title, it wasn’t supposed to be like this during this year’s event, but once again he departed earlier than anticipated.
At 29, he does have time on his side and the challenge for De Decker is to maintain some strong form for the duration of next year and arrive in 12 months ready to try all over again.