JUSTIN PIPE in top 16 at last

JUSTIN PIPE has broken into the world's top 16 following his triumph in the Austrian Darts Open on Sunday.

The Taunton thrower picked up the biggest victory of his career as he took the £15,000 first prize in the inaugural PDC European Tour event.

The triumph caps a remarkable year for Pipe, who won his first three professional titles in the autumn of 2011 with a trio of Players Championship victories as he moved into the world's top 32, before he also won a ProTour event in Benidorm in January.

However, his defeat of James Wade in Sunday's Austrian Darts Open means that he jumps up from 20th to 15th in the PDC Order of Merit, knocking Colin Lloyd out of the world's top 16 for the first time in over a decade.

The move could prove significant for Pipe, who would be an automatic qualifier for the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and European Championship later this year.

"Getting into the top 16 was my goal last year and that's achieved now," said Pipe.

"I've started this year as I left off last year so I'm over the moon."

Dave Chisnall's run to the semi-finals saw him move up to 26th place, with James Richardson jumping up five places to 53rd after reaching the quarter-finals.

Prize money from the Austrian Darts Open also counts towards the ProTour Order of Merit and the European Order of Merit.

Pipe's win in Austria, allied to January's Players Championship triumph, means that he tops the current ProTour Order of Merit on £27,400.