BURNETT, JOYCE & J SMITH SECURE FINAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTS

Richie Burnett, Ryan Joyce and Jeff Smith claimed the last three places in the 2022/23 Cazoo World Darts Championship at the Tour Card Holder Qualifier in Barnsley on Monday.

Monday's qualifier at the Barnsley Metrodome offered a last chance for PDC Tour Card Holders to book their place at Alexandra Palace for the sport's showpiece event, which will take place from December 15 to January 3.

Former Lakeside Champion Burnett will make his first World Championship appearance since 2014 after defeating David Evans 7-3 in their decisive board final.

The 55-year-old - a World Matchplay runner-up in 2001 - kicked off his campaign with wins over former World Youth Champion Bradley Brooks and Northern Ireland's Kevin Burness.

The Welsh veteran then produced the performance of the day in his 6-3 success against Brian Raman, posting a sensational 110 average to prevail in a high-quality encounter.

Elsewhere, former World Championship quarter-finalist Joyce will make his fifth consecutive Alexandra Palace appearance after easing past Jamie Clark 7-3.

Joyce also saw off Max Hopp, Gordon Mathers and Rusty-Jake Rodriguez en route to qualification, defying a ton-plus average from the Austrian in round two.

Canadian star Smith completed the 96-player field for next month's event, courtesy of a comprehensive 7-1 victory against Nick Fullwell in their decider.

Smith whitewashed Darren Webster and edged out Jack Main and Steve Lennon in deciding-leg tussles, securing a place in his fifth World Championship and preserving his hopes of retaining his PDC Tour Card.

Three spots were available at the qualifier after Josh Rock - a ProTour Order of Merit qualifier - won Sunday's Winmau World Youth Championship final, averaging 104 in his 6-1 success against Nathan Girvan.

However, a number of high-profile names suffered defeat in Monday's qualifier, including former World Cup winner John Henderson, 2020 Premier League champion Glen Durrant and Ian White - a winner of 13 PDC ranking titles.

Former Lakeside Championship winners Scott Waites and Scott Mitchell also failed to qualify, alongside 2018 World Matchplay semi-finalist Jeffrey de Zwaan and South African star Devon Petersen.