The 2018 German Darts Open was the third of thirteen PDC European Tour events on the 2018 PDC Pro Tour. The tournament took place at Saarlandhalle, Saarbrücken, Germany, between 13âÂÂ15 April 2018. It featured a field of 48 players and ã135,000 in prize money, with ã25,000 going to the winner.
Peter Wright was the defending champion after defeating Benito van de Pas 6âÂÂ5 in the final of the 2017 tournament, but he was knocked out in the second round of the tournament by Germany's Max Hopp.
Hopp went on to win his first PDC senior event, after defeating Michael Smith 8âÂÂ7 in the final.
Hopp also became the first Host Nation Qualifier to make the final of an event of the PDC European Tour. It also marks the first time a German player won a PDC tour event. Noticeably, Hopp won both his semi-final and final match with a 121 finish on the bullseye, with his opponents waiting on a two-dart finish.
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 12 April), one from the Nordic & Baltic Qualifier (held on 27 January) and one from the East European Qualifier (held on 27 January).
Simon Whitlock withdrew with illness on the day of the tournament, so Daniel Larsson, 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: