Leonard Gates keeps Jeff Smith from title at CDC Cross-Border Darts Challenge

Leonard Gates has once again made his presence felt on the North American darts stage. The American crowned himself winner of the CDC Cross-Border Darts Challenge 2025 in California's Simi Valley on Saturday after a 7-4 victory over experienced Canadian Jeff Smith in the final.

With this win, Gates adds another prize to his record of achievements, after also winning the CDC Continental Cup last year. The road to the final went for "The Soulger" via victories over Chris Caldwell, Jake Womack and Adam Sevada.

In the final, Smith became the opponent after the Canadian dealt with Jeff Springer, Stowe Buntz and defending champion Alex Spellman. In the modern HitKor complex, Gates started the final immediately with an 11-darter and quickly ran out to a 4-0 lead.

Smith fought back handsomely to 4-3. Still, Gates did not let himself off the hook. After a phase of leg wins back and forth, he eventually regained the initiative and finished it off professionally.

Because Gates had already qualified for both the US Darts Masters and the North American Championship in New York via his earlier victory in the Continental Cup, the qualifying spot tied to the Cross-Border Challenge now goes to the highest ranked yet unqualified player on the CDC Order of Merit.

Leonard Gates 5-3 Chris Caldwell

Jake Womack 5-0 Jack Robinson

Steve Warnock 5-1 Doug Boehm

Adam Sevada 5-2 Kiley Edmunds

Jacob Taylor 5-0 Gary Mawson

Alex Spellman 5-2 Jason Roker

Stowe Buntz 5-2 Albert Anstey

Jeff Smith 5-3 Jeff Springer

Leonard Gates 5-3 Jake Womack

Adam Sevada 5-0 Steve Warnock

Alex Spellman 5-2 Jacob Taylor

Jeff Smith 5-3 Stowe Buntz

Leonard Gates 6-3 Adam Sevada

Jeff Smith 6-1 Alex Spellman

Leonard Gates 7-4 Jeff Smith