World elite works overtime: deluge of monster scores in an impressive darts week with Gian van Veen at No. 1
PDC
The past week was all about darts of exceptionally high quality. Across various PDC tournaments, no fewer than ten averages above 102 points per visit were recorded. The standard was particularly high at the US Darts Masters, the fourth event of the World Series of Darts 2026, but impressive numbers also went up on the regional circuits in Australia, North America, and Germany.
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Highest average for Gian van Veen
The highest average of the week went to Gian van Veen. The Dutchman posted a phenomenal 106.45 in the quarterfinals of the US Darts Masters. That put him convincingly on top of the weekly list. An average over 106 sits in the absolute elite tier and shows how consistently Van Veen scored throughout his match. Van Veen won that tie against Jonny Clayton 6-3, but then fell in the semifinals after a 7-6 defeat to Luke Humphries.
Humphries himself also made a big impression. The world number one produced two of the week’s highest averages. In the quarterfinals against Stephen Bunting, ‘Cool Hand Luke’ averaged 105.70, before breaking the 104 mark again in the final against Luke Littler with 104.05.
The fact that Humphries delivered such numbers in multiple matches in a row underlines the immense form he is in right now. While a single outlier can be seen as a peak day, he proves with multiple averages above 104 that he is performing at the very highest level week after week.
Strong Price
Gerwyn Price likewise showed he still belongs to the absolute elite. The Welshman registered a 103.93 average in the quarterfinals of the same tournament. Stephen Bunting and Luke Littler also crossed the 102 mark with 102.73 and 102.15 respectively.
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James Wade completed the strong run at the World Series with a 102.07 average. The fact that seven of the ten highest averages of the week were thrown at a single World Series event says a lot about the level the top players are hitting right now.
Raymond Smith impressed in Australia
Raymond Smith impresses
It was not only the big names on the main stage who impressed. Outside the World Series, there were excellent performances as well. Australian Raymond Smith produced a 103.39 average at the Australian Darts Association and was the standout player outside the main event. In North America, Adam Sevada posted a 102.48 average at the North American Championship, while Daniel Klose in Germany produced the exact same average during the group phase of Players Championship Germany.
The numbers show how high the standard within the PDC is at the moment. Where an average around 100 points was enough to reach the very top of a tournament a few years ago, players now seem to go well beyond that mark far more often. Averages of 102, 103, or even 105 points are no longer a rarity when the world’s best meet.
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With one average above 106, two above 105, and a total of ten matches featuring an average of at least 102 points, it was a week that fully showcased the scoring power of the world’s elite. Competition within the PDC is fiercer than ever, and as a result players are increasingly forced to put exceptional numbers on the board to win matches. The past week once again provided perfect proof of that.
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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