The PDC Winmau World Darts Masters opened at the MK Arena, following yesterday’s preliminary rounds, where the final eight competitors were decided.
There were fancy new black, grey and red score graphics from ITV/PDC, which fitted the new Winmau Blade X branding, as the dartboard made its first televised appearance. Another noticeable change was the famous darts tune ‘Chase the sun’ playing out of the Arena MK speakers after each match. ITV previously used Chelsea Dagger during their coverage.
Round one was the first to three sets however, players only required two legs to win a set.
MATCH 1: Chris Dobey v Jermaine Wattimena
Chris Dobey, the former 2023 masters champion from Newcastle, had a tough opening game against Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena.
Dobey threw six perfect darts in the second leg of the opening set to clinch the set comfortably.
Against the darts, ‘Hollywood’ continued to win back-to-back legs as Wattimena wasn’t throwing at the high level which we were accustomed to at the World Championships.
It was a routine win for Dobey as he held throw for the final set, whitewashing Wattimena 3-0.
Result: Chris Dobey 3-0 Jermaine Wattimena
MATCH 2: Gary Anderson v Niels Zonneveld
Prelominary qualifier, Neils Zonneveld won the opening set, as Anderson started slowly missing two visits for D32. That break of throw gave the Dutchman the lead.
Anderson then went onto outscore his opponent handing himself the opportunity to break back, and win the second set 2-0.
The Scotsman was broken in the first leg as Zonneveld took advantage of Anderson’s treble-less visits. However, Zonneveld was given a taste of his own medicine as Anderson did the same over the next two legs to take the set.
Zonneveld had to win the set to stay in the game and he did exactly that as he was able to hold throw. Both players produced 12-dart legs to take it to the final set.
The two-time former world champion held the advantage with the darts in set five. A break of throw in leg two, using only 13 darts saw Anderson into round two with a tonne-plus average.
Result: Gary Anderson 3-2 Niels Zonneveld
MATCH 3: James Wade v Madars Razma
James Wade won the first leg with a 124, finishing on a bullseye. However, ‘Razzmatazz’ flipped the tables and won the set with 14 and 15 dart visits.
A break of throw from Wade saw him level up the game with back-to-back legs.
The Latvian couldn’t stop the Machine from rampaging through set three as an 11-dart leg was followed by a 14-darter.
Seven perfect darts for Razma opened the third set to add some spice to the game. He continued to hold throw despite Wade keeping on the pressure, equalling the game with two sets a piece.
‘The Machine’ had some luck holding throw in the deciding set as Razma missed multiple darts to take the advantage. Another three darts missed at 52 for the Latvian to stay in the game opened the door for Wade to take the match.
Result: James Wade 3-2 Madars Razma
MATCH 4: Nathan Aspinall v Shane McGuirk
Shane McGuirk qualified from Q-school on his sixth attempt this year and deservedly won himself a Tour Card. He had the throw for the opening set and claimed the first leg. A 121 from ‘The Asp’ in the second took it to leg three, but McGuirk replied with a 141 to take the lead.
Aspinall bounced straight back with two straight legs, with three out of six on doubles. and a tonne-plus average.
The Irishman struggled on the doubles as he failed to see off 24 with three darts in set three. Aspinall sailed through and continued to flex his muscles.
Six consecutive legs for Aspinall meant there was only one winner in the end. ‘The Asp’ finished with an average of 105.8.
Result: Nathan Aspinall 3-1 Shane McGuirk
MATCH 5: Jonny Clayton V Wessel Nijman
2025 was a successful year for Jonny Clayton as ‘The Ferrett’ scurried up the world rankings to number five and was runner-up in last years competition.
Clayton passed-up the opportunity to break the throw of the highest ranked qualifier in the opening set, missing three darts for 30. Nijman held throw and won set one.
The Welshman responded with a statement 11-dart-leg. Averaging excess of 110, Clayton held throw to level-up the game.
Two more consecutive legs from Clayton with a 136 as the cherry on top, saw him take the lead by two sets to one.
All the Dutchman could do in the final set was hold his throw, and hope that Clayton slowed down his scoring. Nijiman had the chance to take out 144 to take the match to a deciding leg but Clayton cleaned up to confirm his place in round two.
Result: Jonny Clayton 3-1 Wessel Nijman
MATCH 6: Gerwyn Price v James Hurrell
It was nice to see ‘The Ice Man’ return to his traditional ‘Ice Ice Baby’ walk-on music. James Hurrell caused waves on the World stage after he knocked out fan favourite Stephen Bunting during the World Championships.
An early break of throw in leg one for Price saw Hurrell on the back foot. Hurrell broke straight back but the former world champion was able to do the business and take set one.
Price had the darts in set two as both players held throw this time giving the Welshman a 2-0 lead.
A break of throw was the last thing Hurrell wanted as he had the darts to keep the match alive in set three. The Ice man was cool throughout and froze any hope of Hurrell’s as he won the match with a 102.83 average/
Result: Gerwyn Price 3-0 James Hurrell
MATCH 7: Michael van Gerwen v Damon Heta
Outside of the world top three for the first time in over a decade, MVG enters the first ranked tournament with a point to prove in 2026. Australian Damon Heta has been in poor form himself over the past 12-moths but a new year, means new darts.
Heta held throw and was able to break Mighty Mike in leg two after the Dutchman opened with what should have been a 180, if it weren’t for his third dart dislodging a dart from the treble 20, handing him a score of 60.
MVG missed three darts for 32 but after Heta narrowly missed double 18, he returned with two darts to hold throw for set two.
The heat was on for Van Gerwen as he had the chance to take the lead by setting himself up in the deciding leg of set three, as Heta was on a bogie finish. However, Van Gerwen may have not realised and made it difficult for himself as the Aussie took the lead.
It was must win set for the Dutchman as ‘The Heat’ was heating up even hotter as Heta broke MVG’s throw in the opening leg. Van Gerwen broke straight back but missed double ten as well as double five and became the first highest seeded casualty of the tournament.
Result: Michael van Gerwen 1-3 Damon Heta
MATCH 8: Gian van Veen v Ryan Joyce
2026 World Championship runner-up and World number three, Gian van Veen featured in the final match of night one. He faced fellow masters debutant Ryan Joyce who was throwing for the first time competitively since the World Champs last month.
The young Dutchman broke throw immediately and had darts to win all three legs, but with five missed doubles, Joyce won the next two legs to break back and hold throw.
Set two was more settling for Van Veen as he held throw and won the second leg against the darts, improving his finishing.
A 121 with a bullseye finish showed that ‘The Giant’s’ double troubles were behind him. With a missed 160, van Veen was able to come back for double ten, following Joyce’s low scoring.
The world number three won five legs on the spin but the Geordie was able to hold throw and avoid what Aspinall had done to McGuirk earlier in the night. 180s for both players in the final leg saw van Veen hold his throw and take home the win. He will play Nathan Aspinall on Saturday in round two.
Result: Gian van Veen 3-1 Ryan Joyce