Exactly one month since the 2018 PDC season ended, the Masters kicks off the 2019 campaign.
Although it's a non-ranking event, the Masters still has a role to play. The PDC's top players have an early chance to set out their stall for the upcoming season. And there's the small matter of a £70,000 top prize to play for. The Masters tends to be dominated by Michael van Gerwen. That was true of the Players Championship Finals, until Daryl Gurney came along. The now two-time major winner could score another impressive stage win in Milton Keynes. He meets Dave Chisnall, who could do with a strong season after a topsy-turvy 2018. Mensur Suljovic takes on Simon Whitlock in the second tie of the evening. It looks tough to call on paper; both have plenty to prove after disappointing World Championship performances. The Gentle is about to start his second Premier League campaign. Whitlock, who was snubbed, would surely love to thumb his nose at the selectors with a good run here. Gary Anderson was set to play Darren Webster in the first round. But the Flying Scotsman's early season hopes have hit the rocks. With the world number four out injured, Stephen Bunting steps in. It's a boost for Webster, who makes his debut on Friday evening. But the Bullet will feel just as confident that a morale-boosting quarter-final spot is up for grabs. On January 1, 2019, Michael van Gerwen became a three-time world champion. A month on, the Dutchman's bid for further glory starts here. He's the undisputed master of the Masters, having won it four times on the bounce. Jonny Clayton stunned Mighty Mike in the Grand Slam group stage, almost repeating the trick in the quarter-finals. Given that only the world's top 16 populate the Masters (17 this time around), anyone can beat anyone. Yet van Gerwen's history tells a story of its own. The reigning world champion will be the clear favourite - a tag he's more than used to. to visit the Masters tournament centre.
Friday schedule
19:10 Daryl Gurney v Dave Chisnall 20:10 Mensur Suljovic v Simon Whitlock 21:10 Stephen Bunting v Darren Webster 22:10 Michael van Gerwen v Jonny Clayton
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- Am not outraged and as said above i dont like anyone from any country doing it to anyone from any country. Whoever is going for a double should have best of order.Mysstree17-11-2024
- Say what? It happens in other countries; Littler in January - this year (Holland), go and watch the evidence on YouTube. If it is going to be done to English players, then we are more than entitled to dish the same back when players face off in England. When it happened to Littler in Holland in January... where was your outrage then? ABE attitude.MrYnyslas197117-11-2024
- I dont like individuals or crowds trying to put any player off when they are trying to check out, how anyone can think its okay for the crowd to whistle or shout as someone is throwing for a double is beyond me but it does seem to have become part and parcel of the modern game. I no longer play now, darts is as good as dead at a local level round my way but when i did play many years ago, no matter how intense the rivalry you never shouted out or whistled when an opponent from the other team was throwing for a double.Mysstree17-11-2024
- The pundits glossing over the other factor at play in that match. They appear to be somewhat constrained in what they can say publicly.
UndartedWaters16-11-2024 - So, you don't like Littler, then? I was cheering him on, being a fellow Englishman. Honestly, some of us get far too offended nowadays. If you want to see crowd passion... watch a match when German and Dutch players face off... that can be just as bad if not worse for crowd noises. It happens, I have watched and heard Littler being jeered - Dirk van Duijvenbode in Holland, January this year. Where was your outrage then? Yes, I can clearly see what is going on here.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024