The 2018 Austrian Darts Open was the fourth out of thirteen PDC European Tour events on the 2018 PDC Pro Tour. The tournament took place at Steiermarkthalle, Premstätten, Austria between 20 and 22 April 2018. It featured a field of 48 players and ã135,000 in prize money, with ã25,000 going to the winner.
Michael van Gerwen was the defending champion after defeating Michael Smith 6âÂÂ5 in the final of the 2017 tournament, although he withdrew prior to the tournament beginning.
Jonny Clayton (who became a seeded player following van Gerwen's withdrawal) defeated fellow Welshman Gerwyn Price 8âÂÂ5, in what was both their first PDC European Tour final, and which was the second European Tour in a row where a debutant finalist won the event (following on from Max Hopp in the 2018 German Darts Open the previous week).
This is how the prize money is divided:
Prize money will count towards the PDC Order of Merit, the ProTour Order of Merit and the European Tour Order of Merit, with one exception: should a seeded player lose in the second round (last 32), their prize money will not count towards any Orders of Merit, although they still receive the full prize money payment.
The top 16 entrants from the PDC ProTour Order of Merit on 27 February will automatically qualify for the event and will be seeded in the second round.
The remaining 32 places will go to players from five qualifying events â 18 from the UK Qualifier (held in Barnsley on 9 March), eight from the West/South European Qualifier (held on 12 April), four from the Host Nation Qualifier (held on 19 April), one from the Nordic & Baltic Qualifier (held on 23 February) and one from the East European Qualifier (held on 28 January).
Michael van Gerwen, who would have been the number 1 seed, withdrew from the tournament prior to the draw. Jonny Clayton, the highest-ranked qualifier, was promoted to 16th seed, with an extra place being made available in the Host Nation Qualifier.
Dave Chisnall withdrew with injury on the day of the tournament, so Wayne Jones, who was due to face him in round 2, was given a bye to round 3.
The following players will take part in the tournament: