The 2025 WDF World Masters has hit the business end, with the knockout stages now set in Hungary. By the end of today, 128 hopefuls will be whittled down to just four in both the men’s and women’s events.
Plenty of familiar faces cruised through the group phase, including current WDF number one Jimmy van Schie and the ever-entertaining Leonard Gates, who both made light work of Wednesday’s matches. David Pallett, back on the radar, went three for three in his group and fired back-to-back 98.56 averages for good measure.
Elsewhere, Jeff Springer Jr. of the USA impressed, while Jason Hogg lit things up with successive 95+ efforts and a sparkling 101.36 average against Vince Tipple. Also safely through were Jenson Walker, Corne Groeneveld, James Beeton, Krzysztof Kciuk, Benjamin Pratnemer, Liam Maendl-Lawrance, and Jeff Smith, all booking their Last 128 spots in style.
The draw has thrown up some tasty ties: Van Schie meets Gino Florian, Gates plays Jeroen Caron, Pallett takes on Wojciech Brulinski, and Smith faces Callum Francis. With both group winners and runners-up qualifying, the stage is set for a frantic afternoon of tungsten tension.
On the women’s side, the evergreen Deta Hedman showed she’s still very much “The Heart of Darts,” topping her group with three straight wins and a steady 75.20 average. Second place finisher Tabea Branka could only manage just over 50, so the gap was clear.
Elsewhere, Priscilla Steenbergen and Irina Armstrong also went unbeaten, with Armstrong playing four matches thanks to an uneven group draw. Kirsi Viinikainen (above), one of this year’s standout Women’s Series performers, looked superb as she went four from four with a 73 average and plenty of confidence.
With Beau Greaves absent, Rhian O’Sullivan starts as one of the favourites. She breezed through her section, winning 16 legs from four games, though her 60 average probably reflects the standard of opposition more than her form.
The surprise of the day came courtesy of Mikuru Suzuki, who failed to progress from a tough group on leg difference – with Louise Paterson and Lee Tsz Ching sneaking through instead. Also advancing were Lerena Rietbergen, Aurora Fochesato, and Paula Jacklin.
By tonight, both tournaments will be down to their final four – and given the mix of experience and fresh faces still standing, the run-in promises to be every bit as unpredictable as it is entertaining.
—–ENDS—-
Images: WDF
