Series 15 of the MODUS Super Series continues with Week 9, live and free on Pluto TV from Monday.
The twelve-player line-up includes former UK Open champion Robert Thornton, reigning WDF World Masters and Gemma Hayter, both of whom are often bedecked in the Darts World logo, and Harry Ward, who continues his strong return to competitive darts after stepping away from the game in 2020.
Thornton leads on experience
Group A is headed by Robert Thornton, the Scottish veteran whose CV needs little introduction. “The Thorn” became the first player in PDC history to beat Phil Taylor in a major final outside the World Championship when he won the 2012 UK Open, and he’s added two senior titles to his collection since.
Darts’ Bond is back
He’s joined in the group by Jamie Atkins and Micheal Wiles, Belgium’s Nico Plovier, and two of the field’s most well-travelled campaigners in Jeff Smith and Jim Widmayer.
Smith, once dubbed ‘the James Bond of darts’, in particular brings a story worth knowing. Nicknamed “The Silencer,” the Canadian has spent the best part of two decades as North America’s leading player, representing his country at the World Cup of Darts and appearing at five PDC World Championships.
He’s also responsible for one of the more unusual pieces of Alexandra Palace trivia. He’s the only player in PDC history to have opened a World Championship appearance with a 170 checkout in his very first leg on the stage.
Hayter back for more
Group B brings a different kind of pedigree into the smaller field. Gemma Hayter arrives after qualifying for the ADC Global Championship after topping the South standings. The Darts World ambassador is hoping to continue the run of form that made her the 2026 WDF Womens World Masters champion earlier this year.
She’ll face Poland’s Radek Szaganski and England’s Aden Kirk in the group, which plays Friday evenings. Kirk is no stranger to shocking a crowd, as his third-round win over Phil Taylor at the 2014 UK Open is still regarded as one of the biggest upsets the sport has produced.
Group C sees Harry Ward take the stage. The Staffordshire thrower secured Players Championship 16 glory back in 2019 at the age of just 21. After citing a lack of hunger for the tour lifestyle, he walked away from the professional game entirely in 2020.
He’s since returned to competitive darts and been steadily rebuilding, lining up here alongside Finland’s Petri Rasmus and England’s Jamie Kelling.
Full schedules and results as they land at DartsWorld socials, dartsworld.com and via the MODUS Super Series stream on Pluto TV.
Daily MSS play is streamed on Pluto TV from 9.30 AM (BST) with highlights and other coverage on the MODUS Super Series YouTube channel, or via various bookmaker’ websites worldwide.
Check out DartsWorld’s MODUS Super Series Hall of Fame for the personalities and history of this event.
Images: Tip Top Pics
