Wednesday August 19th 2026
Bonnyrigg darts pro David Sharp
Written by Midlothian View Sport Reporter, Nyo Logan
Midlothian darts professional David “Razor” Sharp has reached another significant milestone in his debut season on the PDC circuit after breaking into the world’s top 100 for the first time.
Sharp’s continued progress up the PDC Order of Merit comes after a string of encouraging performances on the professional tour, including his maiden Players Championship semi-final earlier this summer.
The achievement represents another important step for David, who began the year outside the established PDC rankings after securing his Tour Card at Q-School in January.
“It’s great to finally break into the top 100. When I got my tour card at the start of the year I was starting from zero, so to see myself moving up the rankings is a good feeling. It’s another little milestone ticked off, but this was never the end goal. I want to keep pushing towards that top 64 and beyond.“
While reaching the top 100 provides another reason to celebrate, Sharp’s ambitions stretch considerably further, with the Scot setting his sights on breaking into the world’s top 64 by the end of his two-year Tour Card cycle.
For those less familiar with professional darts, the PDC Order of Merit is effectively the sport’s world ranking system and is determined by prize money earned in ranking tournaments over a rolling two-year period.
New Tour Card holders such as Sharp are effectively starting their ranking journey from zero, while many established professionals already have prize money accumulated from the previous two years.
A newly-qualified player is therefore looking to build their ranking money throughout their two-year Tour Card cycle, with a place inside the world’s top 64 at the end of that period securing their Tour Card for the following season.
It means every victory and every run through a Players Championship, European Tour or other ranking event can prove significant as Sharp continues his climb.
Sharp also came agonisingly close to achieving another major milestone during the recent European Tour qualifiers in Hildesheim.
The Midlothian professional made it all the way to the final qualifying match for the Swiss Darts Trophy, where five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld stood between him and a first appearance on the European Tour.
Sharp pushed the Dutch darts legend all the way and led 5-4 before Van Barneveld fought back to force a deciding leg and eventually edge the contest 6-5.
“It was frustrating because I was 5-4 up and one leg away from qualifying. I felt I played well enough to win the match, but I didn’t get it over the line when it mattered. It doesn’t really matter who is standing on the other side of the board, I’m there to win.
“I’m getting closer to qualifying for one of these European Tours and hopefully next time I can finish the job. It would be brilliant to get on that stage and give everyone at The Ship Inn an excuse for another day out — I’m sure they wouldn’t need much convincing!”
Despite the disappointment of falling at the final hurdle, there were plenty of positives for Sharp, who averaged higher than the former world champion during the match and demonstrated once again that he can compete with some of the biggest and most experienced names in the sport.
Van Barneveld went on to complete an impressive qualifying double in Hildesheim, securing his place in consecutive European Tour events.
The European Tour represents an important next step for Sharp. Alongside the opportunity to compete on stage in front of large crowds across Europe, qualification brings another chance to earn ranking money and continue moving up the PDC Order of Merit.
Sharp’s rise into the top 100 is particularly encouraging given he is still in the first year of his two-year Tour Card cycle.
His long-term target remains clear: establish himself inside the world’s top 64 and retain his place on the professional circuit without having to return to Q-School.
After a short break in the ProTour schedule, attention now turns back to Players Championship action.
Sharp will return to competition at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena for Players Championships 27 and 28 on August 25th and 26th, providing another two opportunities to add valuable ranking money and continue his climb.
“I’ve had a little bit of time away from the ProTour, so I’m looking forward to getting back to it. Since getting my Tour Card it feels like I’ve been travelling a lot, whether it’s Players Championships, qualifiers or other events, so having a bit of time at home has actually been nice.
“The semi-final run showed what I can do when everything comes together and now it’s about producing that level more consistently and taking it a step further. Every event is another opportunity to win matches, earn ranking money and keep moving in the right direction. It’s a busy schedule, but this is what I wanted when I got my Tour Card and I’m loving it.”
With a maiden ProTour semi-final already achieved, the world’s top 100 now broken and a European Tour appearance coming increasingly close, Sharp heads into the next block of tournaments with plenty of reasons for confidence.
Fans can follow David’s journey throughout his first season as a PDC professional by following David Sharp Darts on Facebook and @DavidSharp180 on Instagram.
Watch below a recent interview with David Sharp, created by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson.
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