Frauenfelder and Ward claim latest Winmau PDC Challenge Tour titles

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Frauenfelder and Ward claim latest Winmau PDC Challenge Tour titles originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Germany’s curtain-raiser for the 2026 PDC Challenge Tour season produced a storyline few would have confidently predicted, as Levy Frauenfelder surged through the field to secure a long-awaited breakthrough title.

After earlier seasonal stops in Milton Keynes and Leicester, the tour rolled into Hildesheim, where the Dutchman stitched together a run defined by resilience and timely composure. While the result raised a few eyebrows, it should not be mistaken as a reflection of his ability - rather, it was his recent returns that kept expectations tempered. Prior to this event, Frauenfelder had accumulated just £200 from his opening ten outings of the campaign, so the championship signs weren’t really I evidence.

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That said, Levy’s march to the title was anything but routine. Three last-leg deciders punctuated his progress, each one demanding nerve, precision, and a refusal to buckle under pressure. There was a pleasing symmetry to his campaign too, beginning with composed wins over home-nation opposition before building momentum. Comfortable 5-2 victories against Danny Lauby and Jerry Hendriks laid the groundwork, but the route soon became far more demanding. A tight win over Jack Tweddell booked his semi-final spot, where he edged past Tommy Lishman in another tense encounter - both players now set for Pro Tour action.

In the final, Frauenfelder demonstrated further grit, overturning an early 2-0 deficit against Henry Coates to complete a composed comeback. In doing so, he dispatched a third successive English opponent and, most importantly, captured his maiden PDC title.

Big H Back in the Winners’ Circle

Later into the afternoon, it was a familiar name returning to winning ways. Harry Ward rolled back the years to claim victory, almost seven years on from a Players Championship triumph in Barnsley.

Still only 28, the Burton-upon-Trent thrower continues to prove that his decision to step away from the game in 2020 has done little to diminish his hunger for the sport and natural ability. Now based in Swadlincote, Ward showcased both resilience and class throughout his run.

The lad merrily monikered Big H was pushed early, edging past Steve Lennon in a last-leg decider, before navigating his way through a tricky field that included removing the dangerous threat of Derek Coulson. Another tense battle followed in the quarters, where he squeezed past Paul Rowley. Ward then secured his place in the last match of the day with victory over Jack Aldridge.

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In contrast, Lishman arrived at the final having dropped just eight legs, and almost certainly feeling the fresher of the two. However, after conceding the opener, Ward responded emphatically, reeling off four chalks on the bounce before wrapping up the contest a few minutes later.

That brings day one to a close. Two events down, three still to come - although for many, the workload extends further, with a quick turnaround into Pro Tour action following a brief Sunday late afternoon rest.

2026 PDC CHALLENGE TOUR – EVENT 11

Hildesheim, Germany (Fri 1st May)

Quarter-Finals

Leigh Harrison (ENG) 5-3 Kevin Troppmann (GER)

Henry Coates (ENG) 5-2 Daniel Ayres (ENG)

Tommy Lishman (ENG) 5-2 James Beeton (ENG)

Levy Frauenfelder (GER) 5-4 Jack Tweddell (ENG)

Semi-Finals

Henry Coates (ENG) 5-4 Leigh Harrison (ENG)

Levy Frauenfelder (GER) 5-4 Tommy Lishman (ENG)

Final

Levy Frauenfelder (GER) 5-3 Henry Coates (ENG)

2026 PDC CHALLENGE TOUR – EVENT 12

Hildesheim, Germany (Fri 1st May)

Quarter-Finals

Harry Ward (ENG) 5-4 Paul Rowley (ENG)

Jack Aldridge (ENG) 5-3 Ashton Brown (ENG)

Tommy Lishman (ENG) 5-2 Joe Hunt (ENG)

Andy Courtney (ENG) 5-2 Steve Hine (ENG)

Semi-Finals

Harry Ward (ENG) 5-3 Jack Aldridge (ENG)

Tommy Lishman (ENG) 5-0 Andy Courtney (ENG)

Final

Harry Ward (ENG) 5-3 Tommy Lishman (ENG)