Adam Sevada lands double on CDC Tour, Leonard Gates qualifies for US Darts Masters

Adam Sevada made a flying start during the opening weekend of the Championship Darts Circuit in Niagara Falls. The American immediately claimed the first two CDC ProTour events of the season. At the same time, Leonard Gates secured his spot at the US Darts Masters by convincingly winning the qualifier.

For Sevada, it was a continuation of his impressive form earlier this year. The 40-year-old American had already topped the rankings in 2025 and added his ninth and tenth CDC ProTour titles to his résumé in Niagara Falls.

The first tournament win was anything but straightforward. Sevada enjoyed a relatively comfortable start and dropped only three legs in his opening three matches. Among others, Jeff Marinucci and Albert Antsey were beaten without conceding a leg. After a convincing 6-2 victory over Michael Nguyen, a semi-final against the experienced Canadian Jeff Smith awaited. Sevada briefly looked set for elimination, but he survived two match darts and ultimately edged it in a deciding last leg.

The final also came down to a nerve-racking finish. Against future World Cup partner Stowe Buntz, a last leg was once again needed to settle it. Sevada held firm again and took his first title of the weekend. Across his six wins, he averaged 88.66.

A day later, it was clear again that Sevada is the man to beat on the CDC Tour right now. In the second event of the weekend, he defeated Sean Kelly and Davey Mayne 5-1 in succession before once more escaping elimination in the last 16.

Against Ram Guevara Jr., Sevada faced no fewer than 22 match darts against him, but somehow he stayed alive. He also pinched this match via a deciding leg.

From the quarterfinals onward, the American shifted up a gear. Nick Linberg was beaten 6-1, after which Sevada, averaging 92.25, also dispatched Danny Young.

In the final against Brayden Hall, Sevada then left little doubt about the outcome. With a 97 average, he cruised to a 7-2 win and completed his perfect weekend in Niagara Falls.

Thanks to his double on the weekend, Sevada leads the CDC ProTour rankings after two events. He is now also one of the leading favorites to qualify later this season for the US Darts Masters in New York.

While Sevada excelled on the ProTour, Leonard Gates delivered an almost flawless display in qualifying for the US Darts Masters. The 55-year-old American dropped only ten legs across six matches and secured his fourth appearance at the prestigious tournament at Madison Square Garden.

Gates began his run with wins over Canadians Nathan Humphries and Justin Fawcett, shutting out the latter. Garrett French then went down 5-2.

That was followed by more convincing performances against Charlie Harrison and BJ Pollock. Against Harrison in particular, Gates impressed with a 92.85 average in a dominant 5-1 victory.

In the final against Brad Farley, Gates trailed 3-1 but the veteran regrouped superbly. With four straight legs, he turned the match on its head and booked his ticket for the US Darts Masters.

The next two CDC ProTour events will be played from 06/05/2025 to 06/07/2025 in Philadelphia. A second qualifier for the US Darts Masters is also on the schedule there.