Top seed and title favourite Jimmy van Schie claims WDF World Masters crown in Budapest, defeats Jeff Smith in final

The Dutch stranglehold at the WDF World Masters continues unabated. After Wesley Plaisier won the prestigious title the past two editions, this year it is Jimmy van Schie who took the tournament. The Dutchman remained unbeaten in Budapest, Hungary, impressively taking his first major international title.

On Thursday afternoon the knockout phase of the WDF World Masters in the 'Open' category was on the program. After a series of exciting matches, four players remained to qualify for the semi-finals on Saturday: Jimmy van Schie (Netherlands), Jason Brandon (United States), Jeff Smith (Canada) and Cliff Prior (England).

In the first semifinal, Van Schie immediately showed why he is the number one seed in the WDF. He took on Jason Brandon, recently winner of the Hungarian Classic, but hardly gave the American any breathing room. Van Schie started strong with two quick legs and did not relinquish his lead. Brandon managed to take one more leg, but then the Dutchman stepped up a gear. With a 112 finish, a 13-darter and a 14-darter he convincingly won the match 6-1.

The second semifinal was a lot more exciting. In it Jeff Smith, former finalist at the BDO World Championship, took on the brand new WDF World Open champion Cliff Prior. The first five legs all went against the darts, with strong play from both men. Smith was the first to keep his own leg and took a 4-2 lead. Prior was unable to put that right, securing Smith's place in the final with a 6-4 victory.

The final between Jimmy van Schie and Jeff Smith was a repeat of the final battle of the Champions Week of the MODUS Super Series, which was won by Smith at that time. This time, however, it was Van Schie who set the tone from the first moment. He started furiously with four won legs in a row and did so with sublime play: an average of over 107, complemented by a 112 finish and several quick legs.

Smith finally managed to get on the scoreboard in the fifth leg with a 14-darter, but Van Schie kept the momentum solid. The Dutchman reached match point at 6-2 and then finished it off professionally with a 15-darter. With that, he convincingly won the final 7-2.

With his win, Jimmy van Schie joins a special list. He is the fourth Dutchman to win the World Masters title, after Raymond van Barneveld, Michael van Gerwen and Wesley Plaisier. Moreover, it is the third consecutive Dutch victory since the WDF organized the tournament.

So an impressive performance by Van Schie, who showed in Budapest that the future of Dutch darts looks more than bright.

Jimmy van Schie 6-1 Jason Brandon

Jeff Smith 6-4 Cliff Prior

Jimmy van Schie 7-2 Jeff Smith