Lauby & Brandon Steal the Show at MSG on Day 1 at US Darts Masters

Day 1 at Madison Square Garden’s Theater in New York produced some huge moments as Danny Lauby and Jason Brandon stunned the crowd by knocking out the top two players on the World Series this season. Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall put in statement performances on the iconic stage. Let’s take a look at the action.

Danny Lauby celebrating on the MSG stage during his victory over Rob Cross (Photo by Matt Heasley)

Damon Heta 6-1 Jim Long

Jim Long will be left to rue missed opportunities early in this clash, having multiple darts to hold in legs 1 and 3 and take an early lead. However, Heta capitalised on those chances and ran away with the match from there. It was a solid start for the Aussie, who put on a show for the New York crowd and clearly enjoyed every moment on stage.

Match Stats:

Heta: 99.64 average, 3x 180s, 50% on Doubles (5/10)

Long: 86.25 average, 3x 180s, 10% on Doubles (1/10)

Danny Lauby 6-0 Rob Cross

Lauby got off to an excellent start, leading 2-0 before Cross missed three darts at double to cut the gap to 2-1 with a break. From there, Cross had only one dart at double across legs 4, 5, and 6 but failed to convert. Lauby stayed clinical to clean up and seal an incredible 6-0 whitewash, capitalising on a below-par performance from ‘Voltage’ and raising serious questions about Cross’s current form.

Match Stats:

Lauby: 93.94 average, 1x 180, 60% on Doubles (6/10)

Cross: 89.26 average, 0x 180s, 0% on Doubles (0/6)

Jason Brandon 6-4 Stephen Bunting

Incredibly, back-to-back massive shocks saw CDC rank 5 Jason Brandon dump out the best player on the World Series this season, Stephen Bunting. It was a nip-and-tuck game throughout, with Brandon finding an early break to lead 3-1. From there, the match went with throw. Despite a 170 checkout from Bunting in leg 7, Brandon stayed composed and secured the biggest win of his career.

Match Stats:

Brandon: 86.40 average, 1x 180, 42.86% on Doubles (6/14)

Bunting: 91.85 average, 1x 180, 40% on Doubles (4/10)

Gerwyn Price 6-2 Adam Sevada

Sevada came into this match in good form as the current CDC No.1 but struggled to find his rhythm on the big stage. He clung to Gerwyn Price’s coat tails, staying level at 2-2 after four legs. However, the Iceman then clicked into gear, rattling off legs in 14, 13, 11, and 18 darts in a dominant display of power scoring. Price comfortably sealed the win while also teasing a nine-darter, going seven perfect darts into leg 7.

Match Stats:

Price: 102.47 average, 6x 180s, 40% on Doubles (6/15)

Sevada: 74.65 average, 1x 180, 18.18% on Doubles (2/11)

Luke Littler 6-1 Jules van Dongen

Despite not being at his brilliant best, Littler powered to a comfortable victory. Jules van Dongen has had well-documented struggles with dartitis and a damaging nerve injury affecting his throwing arm. Winning leg 4 against the reigning World Champion was a massive moment for him, demonstrating immense resilience and character. He could have also taken the opening leg had he converted one of his three attempts at double.

Match Stats:

Littler: 92.16 average, 2x 180s, 37.5% on Doubles (6/16)

Van Dongen: 73.75 average, 0x 180s, 16.67% on Doubles (1/6)

Nathan Aspinall 6-2 Matt Campbell

Campbell underperformed in this contest and, while staying in touch early at 2-2, he managed just one dart at double after that, a missed attempt at double top following a 160 checkout combination as Aspinall raced to a routine win. It was an impressive performance from Aspinall, who broke the record for the most 180s scored in a last-16 World Series match.

Match Stats:

Aspinall: 104.68 average, 8x 180s, 60% on Doubles (6/10)

Campbell: 84.38 average, 1x 180, 40% on Doubles (2/5)

Luke Humphries 6-4 Stowe Buntz

The World No.1 looked in full control, leading 3-1 after four legs, and narrowly missed a dart at double 15 for a commanding 4-1 advantage. Buntz found a new gear, taking out combination checkouts of 64 and 74 on the bull, and 127 on the bull in a magnificent display of composure to reel off three legs and move into a 4-3 lead. However, the game swung back in ‘Cool Hand’s’ favour as Buntz struggled when the winning line was in sight, having just one dart at double in the final three legs, allowing Humphries to swoop in and secure the victory.

Match Stats:

Humphries: 93.92 average, 3x 180s, 50% on Doubles (6/12)

Buntz: 86.08 average, 1x 180, 40% on Doubles (4/10)

Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Leonard Gates

A strong start from Gates saw him break in the opening leg in 17 darts to lead 1-0, but that was as good as it got for ‘The Soulger’. After that, he had just one more dart at double, at the bull in leg 2, which he missed, allowing Michael van Gerwen to stroll to a 6-1 victory by winning six straight legs, pinning combination checkouts of 128 and 108 en route. This was the Dutchman’s first match in six weeks following a break for personal reasons, and he settled quickly, impressing the New York crowd.

Match Stats:

MvG: 99.63 average, 1x 180, 60% on Doubles (6/10)

Gates: 90.33 average, 2x 180s, 50% on Doubles (1/2)

Quarter-Final Line-Up

Damon Heta vs. Jason Brandon

(4) Luke Littler vs. Nathan Aspinall

Danny Lauby vs. Luke Humphries

(3) Gerwyn Price vs. Michael van Gerwen

After an incredible opening day of darting drama at Madison Square Garden, the focus now shifts to finals day, where the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final will be played. The heavyweight clashes between Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen, along with Luke Littler facing Nathan Aspinall, promise to deliver world-class action.

However, the real story of Day 1 remains the shock results of Danny Lauby and Jason Brandon. Both players stunned the field with shock victories over the top two on the World Series this season and will be aiming to build on their fairytale starts as they look to extend their runs deep into the tournament.

Stay tuned as the US Darts Masters continues to unfold in one of the sport’s most iconic arenas.

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