The US Darts Masters returned to our screens this weekend with eight PDC pro’s taking on regional qualifiers from North America. Following Jeff Smith’s success in the North American championship, the PDC were out to show what they can do in Las Vegas. Here are five key points from the weekends action to catch you up with all the goings on from the past couple of days.
5. Wade clings on in round one
James Wade clung on to his place in Las Vegas as he survived match darts to knock out Daniel Lauby in the opening round of the competition. The victory was sealed with a magical 158 checkout in the deciding and final leg, defying 101 and 120 checkout’s from earlier in the match.
The young American Lauby was just millimetres away from reaching round two as he held a 5-3 lead over the former UK Open champion. But three legs on the spin including six perfect darts were enough to see Wade through to the quarter-finals in Vegas.
4. Murschell ensures North American representation in round two.
Dawson Murschell produced arguably the shock of the day as he defeated a clearly injured Gerwyn Price in the opening round of the US Masters. The young Canadian defeated James Wade in last years event before meeting the Welshman in round two, he would get his revenge this time around.
‘Awesome Dawson’ scored heavily throughout the content as he overturned a one leg deficit to race into a 3-1 advantage. A finish of 96 heaved the pressure on the Welshman who was clearly struggling with an Achilles injury. Murschell would add the finishing touches to close out the victory 6-2.
3. Delight for Wade in van Gerwen slaying
Following his edgy opening round display James Wade returned to his old ways in round two as he got a monkey off his back with a superb victory over the World number one Michael van Gerwen.
Despite the Dutchman averaging well over the ton mark the ruthless finishing meant Wade had a 4-0 cushion at the half way stage. A sensational 161 checkout would confirm his intentions as he sailed to an 8-3 victory that put him on his way to a semi-final meeting with Gary Anderson.
2. Maximum exhibition from English duo
Michael Smith and Rob Cross put on a masterclass of maximums during their second round clash in Mandalay Bay. Cross was the victor on this occasion, averaging just shy of 101, but the story was the unbelievable number of 180’s hit during the 14 legs of play.
There were 14 maximum visits during the last eight meeting the two Premier League competitors, averaging a 180’s each leg on route to an 8-6 victory for ‘Voltage’.
1. Anderson takes title in Vegas
Gary Anderson took the US Darts Masters title in Vegas as he came from 3-0 behind to defeat Rob Cross 8-4 in a sensational finale at Mandalay Bay.
Cross led from the outset, stealing a 3-0 lead as Anderson wasted darts to keep himself in contention. But after a succession of huge scoring visits, ‘The Flying Scotsman’ would haul himself level following a timely interval.
The grip continued to loosen for the Hastings thrower as Anderson doubled his cushion to give him breathing space moving into the latter stages. A 62 checkout would see him go within a leg of the title, Cross fading into the background.
His scoring would desert him in the final leg of the match as Anderson left 164 to put the final nail in the coffin for the reigning World Champion. Treble 20, treble 18, and then the Bullseye capping a superb final performance from the Scot.
501DartsBlog.com 
One thought on “US Darts Masters – Five things you may have missed”