As the UK Open 2026 approaches in Minehead, Dimitri Van den Bergh is under immense pressure to defend prize money on the PDC Order of Merit. The Belgian, who won the UK Open in 2024, has £110,000 to defend, accounting for 32.84% of his total ranking prize money—by far the largest share among all players. With Van den Bergh in poor form for months, an early exit could cause a significant drop in his world ranking, potentially pushing him out of the top 32.
Behind Van den Bergh, Ricky Evans follows with 15.87% (£30,000) to defend, while Keane Barry has 8.35% (£10,000). Damon Heta (6.88%, £30,000) and Martin Lukeman (6.73%, £15,000) complete the top five. In contrast, established stars face minimal pressure: Luke Humphries defends only 4.01% (£50,000), Rob Cross 3.69% (£15,000), and Peter Wright 3.32% (£10,000). Dave Chisnall (2.65%), Stephen Bunting (2.40%), and Gary Anderson (1.66%) also have low percentages.
Major champions like Michael van Gerwen (0.36%, £2,500), Gerwyn Price (0.43%, £2,500), and James Wade (0.43%, £2,500) have almost nothing to defend, as they were knocked out early in the fourth round two years ago. World champion Luke Littler sits at 0.52% (£15,000), having lost in the 2024 quarterfinals to Damon Heta. Further down, Gian van Veen defends 1.05% (£10,000), Andrew Gilding 1.57% (£5,000), and Jonny Clayton 1.55% (£10,000), with Ross Smith (1.04%), Nathan Aspinall (1.03%), and Chris Dobey (0.91%) all having £5,000 at stake.
The UK Open, known as the "FA Cup of Darts," features no seed protection and frequent upsets, adding psychological weight to these defences. For Van den Bergh, Evans, Barry, Heta, and Lukeman, there's much to lose, while the elite can play with relative freedom given their low percentages.
