The opening session of the U.S. Darts Masters delivered thrilling action and a significant upset, as North America’s own Jim Long from Canada defied expectations to defeat PDC star Josh Rock. Defending champion Luke Humphries showcased his formidable form with a dominant win, while other top contenders like Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price secured their spots in the quarter-finals despite facing tougher challenges than anticipated. Jonny Clayton stood out with a remarkable 100% checkout rate, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the tournament.
Canadian Underdog Jim Long Delivers Shock Victory
The most talked-about moment of the opening night saw Canadian qualifier Jim Long pull off a stunning 6-4 victory against highly-rated PDC star Josh Rock. Long, with an average of 87.85, capitalized on Rock’s struggles with his finishing. “Rocky” had numerous opportunities to check out in almost every leg up to 3-3 but repeatedly missed his doubles. This allowed Long to maintain pressure and ultimately secure a memorable win, preventing Rock from even reaching a deciding leg.
Humphries Dominates, Other Stars Advance
Defending champion Luke Humphries made a strong statement, effortlessly dispatching American Leonard Gates 6-1. “Cool Hand Luke” demonstrated superior scoring power with a 91.92 average, leaving Gates with little room to compete. Gates managed just one leg, highlighting Humphries’ commanding performance.
Other big names also progressed, though some faced unexpected resistance:
- Luke Littler, “The Nuke,” secured a 6-4 win against David Cameron. Despite a modest 87.84 average and a 20% double success rate, Littler eventually found his rhythm after a somewhat casual start, preventing Cameron from forcing a decider.
- Gerwyn Price, “The Iceman,” overcame debutant Brayden Hall with a 6-4 scoreline. Price started strongly with an 11-dart leg but became a bit complacent, allowing Hall to close the gap to 4-5 before Price sealed the victory.
PDC Professionals Secure Quarter-Final Berths
The remaining four PDC professionals also advanced to the quarter-finals:
- Gian van Veen comfortably defeated Fred “The Nightmare” Krueger 6-1, with his 91.76 average proving more than enough.
- James Wade navigated his way past Adam Sevada with a 6-3 win, though Sevada managed to avoid a whitewash by winning three legs.
- Jonny Clayton, “The Ferret,” delivered a masterclass in finishing, beating Gary Mawson 6-2 with an impressive 98.54 average and a perfect 100% checkout success rate.
- Stephen Bunting secured a 6-2 victory over Alex Spellman, who struggled on the big stage with a 72.84 average.
U.S. Darts Masters: Round 1 Results and Upcoming Schedule
The first round saw some intense matchups and set the stage for thrilling quarter-finals. Here’s a quick look at the results and what’s next:
Round 1 Results (Thursday, June 25, 2026):
- Gian van Veen 6–1 Fred Krueger (91.76 avg – 80.97 avg)
- Gerwyn Price 6–4 Brayden Hall (91.83 avg – 78.70 avg)
- James Wade 6–3 Adam Sevada (82.51 avg – 77.29 avg)
- Josh Rock 4–6 Jim Long (88.25 avg – 87.85 avg)
- Luke Littler 6–4 David Cameron (87.84 avg – 80.28 avg)
- Luke Humphries 6–1 Leonard Gates (91.92 avg – 77.18 avg)
- Jonny Clayton 6–2 Gary Mawson (98.54 avg – 78.33 avg)
- Stephen Bunting 6–2 Alex Spellman (90.97 avg – 72.84 avg)
Quarter-Finals Schedule (Friday, June 26, 2026):
The action continues with the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the grand final all on the same day.
- Luke Littler vs. Jim Long
- Gerwyn Price vs. James Wade
- Luke Humphries vs. Stephen Bunting
- Gian van Veen vs. Jonny Clayton
Tournament Format and Prize Money
The U.S. Darts Masters features a progressive match format:
- First Round and Quarter-Finals: Best of 11 Legs
- Semi-Finals: Best of 13 Legs
- Final: Best of 15 Legs
A total prize fund of £100,000 is up for grabs, with the winner taking home a substantial £30,000. Additionally, players earn valuable points for the World Series of Darts ranking, which determines qualification for the prestigious World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. These points are crucial for players aiming for a spot in the season-ending championship.
Prize Money & World Series Points Breakdown:
- Winner: £30,000 (12 points)
- Runner-Up: £16,000 (8 points)
- Semi-Finalists: £10,000 (5 points)
- Quarter-Finalists: £5,000 (3 points)
- First Round: £1,750 (1 point)
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
