As the 2025 PDC US Darts Masters descends upon the iconic Madison Square Garden this weekend, the finest North American arrow-smiths are ready to showcase their talents on the world stage, taking on the superstars of the oche.
They’ll face off against eight of the PDC’s top stars, including last year’s victor, Rob Cross; the current World Champion, Luke Littler; and World number one, Luke Humphries, in what promises to be a thrilling two-day tournament.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the boys from across the pond who’ll be stepping up to challenge the big guns:
Matt Campbell (Canada)
The Ginger Ninja is no stranger to the US Masters, just unfortunately a stranger to the taste of victory there. As a PDC Tour Card holder, this will be Matt’s fourth consecutive appearance in the World Series event, and he’s still chasing that elusive win. Last time out, the Ontario-born pro found himself on the wrong end of a Luke Littler debut demolition. However, an encouraging quarter-final run at the recent European Darts Open – his best to date on that particular tour – shows that this Campbell is in good form and might just be ready to take a bite of the Big Apple.
Jim Long (Canada)
The second of two Canadians on show – and Campbell’s World Cup team-mate – has also made the cut, marking his third US Masters appearance – his first being back in 2019. It might have been more, but, you know, there was a global pandemic that got in the way. After triumphing in the 2023 CDC Cross-Border Challenge, Jim made a welcomed return by taking his place – then taking out World Champion Michael Smith. Known as The Gentleman, the 57-year-old doesn’t lack experience, and like his fellow Ontarian, he’s more than capable of matching anyone on his day.
Danny Lauby (USA)
As one of the two Americans holding professional status, Danny Lauby gets another shot to impress on home soil. The former WDF Winmau World Masters semi-finalist may have been knocked out early by MVG last year, but he pushed James Wade all the way on his US Masters debut in 2018. The Indiana kid (not his nickname) has more quality than his mere four Players Championship wins this year suggest – though, in darts, results are everything. A feather in the cap in his backyard would give him a much-needed boost and perhaps spark a strong finish to the season.
Jules van Dongen (USA)
The Dutch-born American will be the first to admit it’s been a grim year on the oche. You’d have to go back a whole year to find his last victory on the Players Championship, during a torrid stretch of battling the dreaded dartitis. Jules even tried chucking left-handed for a bit before returning to his preferred arm at the World Cup, where he fared better. It’s a brave man who steps up against the best in the world on the big stage, and Jules has that courage. But even he knows guts doesn’t always bring glory. That said, if he can rediscover that magic touch – and with millions of sympathetic darts fans hoping he does – he could give anyone a run for their money.
Leonard Gates (USA)
The flamboyant Texan has been a regular on PDC TV majors over the past few years, and he’s a face darts fans have come to recognise. Gates has also enjoyed plenty of success on the World Seniors Darts duty, picking up three titles in 2023 alone. Across his beloved USA, the man nicknamed Soulger has racked up a plethora of titles over a star-spangled career.
But, of course, he’d love to add the US Masters to that collection. This surprisingly will be only his third appearance at the tournament, but he already has a win under his belt – he beat the Queen of the Palace, Fallon Sherrock, in 2020. It might be a big ask to go all the way in New York, but Leonard’s won titles in almost every American state already, so who’s to say?
Adam Sevada (USA)
Maybe not the household name like some of his fellow continental competitors, but Adam Sevada has been impressing on the CDC circuit lately and thoroughly deserves his spot. The Reaper is part of the esteemed Red Dragon darts stable – one that’s packed with class acts. Last year’s baptism of fire saw Sevada fall to the decorated Rob Cross, but now, with that experience under his belt, he’ll be hoping to return to Madison Square Garden and put it to good use.
Jason Brandon (USA)
Tennessee thrower Jason Brandon shares a similar US Masters tale with fellow American Adam Sevada: played one, lost one – and both losses were to former PDC World Champion Rob Cross. The only difference? Brandy’s loss came a year earlier. Recently hitting the bullseye in terms of age, Brandon had an excellent Lakeside run to the semi-finals of the WDF World Championship last year before being defeated by a man who makes him look like a spring chicken – Paul Lim. So far this year, Jason has more than justified his right to be on that big stage.
Stowe Buntz (USA)
Completing the trio of CDC qualifiers is the charismatic Stowe Buntz. The Virginian made his debut US Masters appearance last year courtesy of his CDC Continental Cup win. Despite putting up a solid showing, he was Asp’d 6-2. However, the Neon Nightmare is more remembered for his incredible run to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Grand Slam of Darts. He not only made it out of his group – containing Chizzy, The Bullet, and Snakebite – but won it. In the end, it was Bunting who got his revenge, denying Stowe in the last eight. But a gutsy performance like that doesn’t go unnoticed, and Buntz is sure to bring that same fight in this year’s US Masters.
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Images: Ed Mullholland/PDC
