Day one of the Winmau World Masters delivered high drama and incredible darts, with a major upset as Damon Heta stunned former champion Michael van Gerwen. While the Dutch superstar faltered, top seeds like Gerwyn Price delivered masterclasses, joined by strong performances from Nathan Aspinall, Jonny Clayton, Chris Dobey, James Wade, Gary Anderson, and rising star Gian van Veen. Get ready for more excitement as reigning champions and world title holders prepare to enter the fray on Friday!
Masters Shocker: Heta Sends MVG Packing
The biggest headline of the day saw Australia’s Damon Heta pull off a sensational victory against the newly crowned Bahrain Darts Master, Michael van Gerwen. Heta, known for his relentless style, showcased an extraordinary display of finishing, converting an impressive 63% of his crucial double attempts. This clinical accuracy, combined with three finishes over 100 points – two of which sealed sets – paved his way to a dominant 3-1 win.
Van Gerwen, typically a powerhouse on the doubles, struggled uncharacteristically, leaving valuable opportunities for Heta. The Australian number one didn’t hesitate, capitalising repeatedly to secure one of the most significant wins of his career. Heta commented, “It was special that I got the win, it didn’t matter who I played… Me and Michael have had a few battles over the years, but to get a win over him is definitely a feather in the cap.”
Price Dominates with Performance of the Night
While Heta’s upset grabbed headlines, Gerwyn Price delivered arguably the most impressive performance. The former World Champion produced a scintillating 108.5 average in a commanding 3-0 demolition of James Hurrell. Price started strong, winning the opening set with a swift 13-dart leg and never looked back, securing six of the eight legs played. His dominant display included four maximum 180s, leaving no doubt about his intent.
“I think I was a little bit ruthless in that game,” Price stated. “It’s a cut-throat format… You have to be more concentrated in every leg.” Price now looks forward to a highly anticipated second-round clash against his World Cup of Darts partner, Jonny Clayton, aiming to progress further than he has since 2022.
Seeds Show Their Class: Other Key Results
Beyond the major upsets and stellar performances, several other top players demonstrated why they are considered elite, navigating their first-round matches with skill and determination.
- Jonny Clayton Triumphs: The 2021 Masters champion and last year’s runner-up, Jonny “The Ferret” Clayton, made a strong return to Arena MK. Despite losing the opening set – remarkably, after hitting a stunning 161 checkout – he rallied to win six of the next eight legs, securing a convincing 3-1 victory over Wessel Nijman.
- Aspinall’s Strong Comeback: Nathan Aspinall followed a similar script, initially falling behind 1-0 to debutant Shane McGuirk who hit an unconventional 141 finish. However, “The Asp” quickly found his rhythm, reeling off six straight legs to secure a 3-1 win. His performance was backed by a 105+ average and a superb 64% (7 of 11) on doubles. Aspinall will now face the impressive Gian van Veen.
- Van Veen Continues Fine Form: Gian van Veen, the reigning PDC European Champion and a recent World Darts Championship finalist, made a strong Winmau World Masters debut. Displaying his trademark poise, the young Dutchman comfortably defeated Ryan Joyce 3-1, continuing his excellent run of form.
- Wade Pushes Through: 2014 Masters champion James “The Machine” Wade was pushed to his limits by Latvian number one Madars Razma. Despite Razma’s strong showing, Wade maintained his composure, averaging over 102 and winning 8 of 12 legs to secure a narrow 3-2 victory.
- Comfortable Wins: Reigning Masters winner Chris Dobey enjoyed a smoother path, breezing to a 3-0 whitewash win over Jermaine Wattimena. Gary Anderson also advanced, delivering a 101 average in a hard-fought 3-2 battle against a resilient Niels Zonneveld.
Anticipation Builds: Day Two Features Darts Royalty
The excitement continues on Friday, January 30th, in Milton Keynes as more darts superstars begin their campaigns in the 2026 Winmau World Masters. Fans can look forward to seeing defending champion Luke Humphries and the reigning World Champion, Luke Littler, make their grand entrance.
Key Matches for Friday (19:00 GMT):
- Luke Humphries vs. Dave Chisnall
- Luke Littler vs. Mike De Decker
- Stephen Bunting vs. Jeffrey de Graaf
- Josh Rock vs. Connor Scutt
- Danny Noppert vs. Daryl Gurney
- Martin Schindler v Luke Woodhouse
- Ross Smith v Jimmy van Schie
- Ryan Searle v Rob Cross
The stage is set for another electrifying day of darts action as the Winmau World Masters heats up!
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
