When taking a look at the field of participants for the Grand Slam of Darts, the name Stowe Buntz will undoubtedly raise eyebrows among the general darting public. The 44-year-old American is the big unknown in the lineup for the prestigious tournament in Wolverhampton.
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Via statistics platform Darts Orakel, it can be seen that he competed at the PDC US Open in 2007 and 2008. He also competed in the North American Darts Championship in 2008. Buntz did not appear on the radar again until 2022 after that.
On the CDC Tour 2022, he initially couldn't make a mark until the final weekend. Buntz then made two finals, but a title failed to materialize. Moreover, he did not come close to qualifying spots for the World Darts Championship.
At the first CDC Tournament of 2023, Buntz again reached the finals, but also lost this one. At the second tournament weekend (CDC Tour 4-6), a semifinal place was the highlight.
Hat-trick on CDC Tour helps Buntz qualify for World Darts Championship
The third tournament weekend of the CDC Tour was in Cambridge, Canada, in August. Nothing looked like Buntz was still a contender for the World Championship spots, but out of nowhere that weekend he won three titles in a row. There was then one more tournament weekend to go and thanks to a final place on the final weekend, he held off the experienced Leonard Gates to grab a starting ticket to the World Darts Championship.
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The sixteen best players in North America were then allowed to compete in the CDC Continental Cup and, of course, Buntz was there. With victories over Jake Macmillan (5-2), Larry Butler (6-2), Jacob Taylor (7-2) and Jason Brandon (8-6), Buntz won that tournament, which also qualified him for the Grand Slam of Darts.
It also earned him placement for the US Darts Masters in 2024, something Buntz is looking forward to even more than participating in the Grand Slam of Darts and at the Alexandra Palace.
"The Grand Slam of Darts and the World Championships are obviously great, but if I can pick out one tournament it's the US Darts Masters. To play in front of my home crowd in Madison Square Garden against the best players in the world is a dream come true. I am eager to show my talent and give the PDC top players a run for their money'', he told Online Darts.
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The American Peter Wright
He will get that chance in the coming weeks during the Grand Slam of Darts and the World Darts Championship as well. At least people who have already seen him play on the stream during the CDC Tour have already seen that 'Buntzy' is no dull sight.
With bright yellow or pink pants and shirts with all sorts of colorful patterns, Buntz looks particularly festive for a darter. Now for a Mohawk, and Buntz can rightfully be called the American Peter Wright.
Kieran WoodDarts Journalist
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He contributes to DartsNews.com, where he covers professional darts through news, match reports, analysis, and live coverage across the PDC calendar and major tournaments.
A key part of his work is on-site reporting from leading events. Kieran has covered the PDC World Darts Championship in person, reporting daily from the venue and providing first-hand insight from the tournament. During his coverage, he has conducted interviews with leading players including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price.
He is also one of the leading voices of the English-language Dartsnews Podcast, contributing regular analysis and discussion on developments across the professional darts circuit.
In his reporting, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles when new, verified information becomes available.
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- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026