In the high-stakes world of professional darts, few stories captivate like those of the underdogs. This article celebrates three remarkable regional qualifiers – Kyle Anderson, Damon Heta, and Jeff Smith – who defied expectations to reach the finals of the prestigious World Series of Darts. From Anderson’s historic all-qualifier final victory in Auckland, to Heta’s sensational win as a non-tour card holder in Brisbane, and Smith’s inspiring run to the final in New York, these players proved that passion and skill can triumph over rankings and reputation, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Kyle Anderson’s Historic Triumph in Auckland (2017)
The 2017 Auckland Darts Masters carved its place in history by featuring the first and only final without an invited PDC player. Instead, it showcased an all-Australian showdown between Kyle Anderson and Corey Cadby, both regional qualifiers.
Corey Cadby’s Road to the Final:
- Regarded as a rising star, Cadby announced his arrival with a 6-4 win over darts legend Peter Wright in the opening round.
- He then stunned Michael Smith, averaging over 100 to eliminate “Bully Boy.”
- In a truly remarkable upset, the 22-year-old defeated five-time World Champion Phil “The Power” Taylor 11-8, averaging 94.79, to secure his spot in the final.
Kyle Anderson’s Dominant Run:
- Already a solid PDC player, ranked world number 28, Anderson’s journey began with a 6-4 victory over fellow Scot Gary Anderson, which, while impressive, wasn’t entirely unexpected given his pedigree.
- The “Original” continued his strong form, defeating James Wade and his countryman Simon Whitlock to set up the highly anticipated final against Cadby.
The final itself was a thriller, going all the way to a last-leg decider. Kyle Anderson ultimately claimed the title with a solid 95.36 average, marking a significant milestone in his career. This victory came just a week after he won his maiden Players Championship event, underscoring his burgeoning talent. Later that year, Anderson would further demonstrate his prowess by hitting a nine-dart finish (the perfect game in darts, achieved by hitting 180, 180, and then a 141 checkout in nine darts) at the European Championship.
Damon Heta’s Sensational Brisbane Breakthrough (2019)
Before the 2019 Brisbane Darts Masters, Damon Heta was a relative unknown in the professional darts circuit. Most expected a routine win for established star James Wade in their first-round match.
Heta’s Unforgettable Journey:
- Nicknamed “The Heat,” Heta edged past James Wade in a last-leg decider, immediately signaling his intent.
- He then faced the much-fancied Gary Anderson, delivering a solid 92.52 average to defeat the “Flying Scotsman.”
- This set up an all-Australian semi-final against Simon Whitlock. Despite averaging 90, Heta capitalized on a below-par performance from Whitlock, winning 8-6 and advancing to face World Number 2 Rob Cross in the final.
Heta saved his absolute best for the final against Cross. In another gripping last-leg decider, he defeated “Voltage” with an impressive 95.86 average to secure the title. The winning moment was spectacular: Heta expertly lined up his double, hitting a 170 checkout (the highest possible finish with three darts: treble 20, treble 20, bullseye) to leave double 16, which he then flawlessly took out. This incredible victory, achieved on his 32nd birthday, made Heta the first-ever host-nation player to win on the World Series and, remarkably, the first player to win a title without holding a PDC tour card.
This triumph catapulted Damon Heta into the spotlight, paving the way for his successful professional career. He has since gone on to win nine Players Championship events, claimed the prestigious World Cup of Darts with Australia, and broke into the world’s top ten players last year.
Jeff Smith’s Inspiring Run in New York (2023)
Canadian dart player Jeff Smith was a well-respected figure on the PDC tour for eight years, regaining his tour card twice. Despite his known ability, his performance at the 2023 US Darts Masters in New York defied all expectations, as he made an excellent run to the final, ultimately facing darts titan Michael Van Gerwen.
Smith’s Path to the Final:
- “The Silencer” started by decisively beating two top seeds, Peter Wright and Nathan Aspinall, both with convincing 6-2 scores in the opening rounds.
- He then faced Luke Humphries and held his nerve to win a last-leg decider, finishing with a respectable 92.23 average.
The final against Michael Van Gerwen proved to be a step too far for Smith, as he was ultimately “white-washed” (lost without winning a single leg) by the legendary Dutch player. However, his journey to the final was a truly proud moment for him and Canadian darts. Remarkably, Smith managed to reach the final without averaging higher than his opponent in any of his four games, a testament to his exceptional finishing ability on the outer ring (hitting doubles to win legs).
Smith’s impressive performance in New York also earned him a spot in the World Series Finals that year, where he was eventually beaten by another Dutch darting legend, Raymond Van Barneveld.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
