Clayton claims maiden individual TV title with victory over King in 2021 Masters final

Jonny Clayton has claimed a maiden individual TV title to add to his World Cup triumph for Wales last year with an 11-8 victory over Mervyn King in the final of the 2021 Masters.

Clayton hit a 104 average in a superb display to once again deny King another opportunity at a TV title and in doing so has also claimed a debut spot in the 2021 Premier League as the final 10th player which was only revealed in the post match title ceremony.

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It was scrappy between the pair to begin with both players holding throw including a 96 checkout from King to make it 2-2.

But he struck the first blow in the form of a 128 checkout on the bull to make it 3-2 to go ahead at the first interval. A last dart double eight saw King make it 4-2 and cement that break.

He followed that up with a clutch 177 and 110 checkout from nowhere to hold and lead 5-3 but he had an off leg next time around on throw and went into the last break at 5-5 with Clayton smashing in a 136 checkout for a 12-darter.

An 84 checkout on the bull saw Clayton hold and regain the lead. King was broken again though by Clayton who left 24 from a 177.

He held throw from there with a 64 checkout to head 8-5 up and ask the question of King who seemed to be fading fast.

King made a hash of it again on his throw going into single seven when attempting to hit 80 and Clayton was back for a 70 checkout to go 9-5 ahead and towards the verge.

King stopped the rot with a break back with an 80 checkout to make it 9-6. It was the same target and the gap narrowed to 9-7.

But Clayton attempted to diminish any hopes of another break back and go one away by starting with a 180. It worked as he pinned 81 to claim an 11-dart hold to make it 10-7.

A 70 checkout kept King in proceedings. He kicked off on Clayton's throw 180 but the Welshman did the same to attempt to finish it there and then and left 16 with a 165 set up shot. He pinned it from there to finish it there and then and claim the title.

Schedule 2021 Masters

Sunday January 31 (19:00 GMT)

Semi-Finals

Gerwyn Price (99.46) 10-11 (97.18) Mervyn King

Peter Wright (99.95) 10-11 (104.09) Jonny Clayton

Final

Mervyn King (99.95) 8-11 (104.09) Jonny Clayton

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