Cameron Claims 7th CDC Title with Magic Darts Masters Win

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David Cameron clinched the 2024 Magic Darts Masters title with a thrilling 7-6 victory over Jeff Smith in an all-Canadian final, marking his seventh overall win on the CDC circuit. He surged to a 6-3 lead before Smith launched a relentless comeback, surviving match darts to force a nervy deciding leg in which Cameron pinned tops in 18 darts to secure the win.

Smith and Cameron entered the weekend as the top two in the 2024 points standings but had not advanced past the quarterfinals until Event 5 on Sunday. Cameron was knocked out in the quarterfinals twice, while Smith didn’t make it past the last 16 on Saturday.

“The Silencer” began his Magic Darts Masters run with a 5-2 victory over Shane Meeks, followed by a 5-3 win against PDC tour card holder Jules Van Dongen. He then cruised through the next rounds, defeating fellow countryman and good friend Albert Anstey 6-1 and Leonard Gates 6-3, before facing Danny Baggish in the semifinals. Scoring and finishing on-form, Smith got to within one leg of victory at 6-3 before Baggish managed to claw back three legs on the trot to force a last-leg decider where Smith checked 14 for a 16-darter to book the clash with Cameron.

For his part, “Excalibur” navigated the early rounds smoothly, dispatching Brian Fenlon 5-1, Eugene Schmitt 5-0, and Anthony Cianciolo 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals. There, he faced a tough challenge from Gary Mawson, who had been in top form all weekend. In a seesaw battle, Cameron emerged victorious in a last-leg decider and then defeated fellow Canadian Jim Long to reach the final.

Throughout the tournament, Cameron posted the third-highest average at 88.58, just behind Jeff Springer and Adam Sevada. He also led with 12 180s. Daniel Baggish recorded the highest checkout of 160 and tied with Sevada for the highest checkout percentage, hitting 44% of his finishes.

Finals

  • David Cameron 7-6 Jeff Smith

Semifinals

  • Jeff Smith 7-6 Daniel Baggish
  • David Cameron 7-2 Jim Long

Quarterfinals

  • Daniel Baggish 6-4 Adam Sevada
  • Jeff Smith 6-3 Leonard Gates
  • David Cameron 6-5 Gary Mawson
  • Jim Long 6-5 Jake Womack

The journey to the 2024 Continental Cup continues on August 3 & 4 with main events 6 to 8 in Chicago, IL.

 

Article by Brian Fraser
July 15, 2024

STOWE-king the Fire: Buntz Reigns Supreme in Galaxy Gold Cup

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Stowe Buntz clinched the 2024 Galaxy Gold Cup in a thrilling final Saturday night, overcoming Jacob Taylor 7-5 in a match that saw drama and brilliance in spades. Trailing 5-4 after nine legs, the reigning Continental Cup champion reached deep and reeled off the final three legs to capture his first title of the year and remind the darts world why he’s a force to be reckoned with.

Coming off a shocking second-round exit in his previous event, Buntz wasted no time making his intentions clear. He stormed through the early rounds with a 5-2 triumph over Levi Kransel and dispatched Ross Snook 5-1 to set the tone. Buntz then delivered back-to-back 6-0 whitewash wins against Jake Womack and Jim Long, cruising into the semifinals. There, Event 3 winner Gary Mawson pushed him to the brink, but Buntz’s resilience shone through in a thrilling 7-6 win.

Jacob Taylor, on the other hand, had a rocky start, edging past Jeff McDonald, Trevor Buboltz, and Dustin Holt in less-than-impressive fashion. But he found his rhythm just in time, averaging 103.43 in a 6-2 demolition of Leonard Gates and continuing his strong form with a 92.70 average to overcome Adam Sevada in the semifinals. His 98.58 average in the final was six points higher than his opponent’s but wasn’t enough to stop Buntz’s late surge.

Statistically, Buntz was peerless. He posted an 89.05 average and matched Taylor with 10 maximums. His checkout rate of 40% is a testament to his clinical finishing under pressure. Danny Baggish, meanwhile, provided the highest checkout of the day with a spectacular 167 to close out his second-round win over Albert Anstey.

Finals

  • Stowe Buntz 7-5 Jacob Taylor

Semifinals

  • Jacob Taylor 7-6 Adam Sevada
  • Stowe Buntz 7-6 Gary Mawson

Quarterfinals

  • Adam Sevada 6-4 Alex Spellman
  • Jacob Taylor 6-2 Leonard Gates
  • Gary Mawson 6-5 David Cameron
  • Stowe Buntz 6-4 Jim Long

With the Galaxy Gold Cup in the rearview mirror, the CDC main tour moves on to the Magic Darts Masters, kicking off Sunday at noon in Chicago, Illinois. The journey continues, with all roads leading to the 2024 Continental Cup.

Article by Brian Fraser
7/14/2024

“The Mawler” Rolls Back the Years to Take Winmau Championship Title

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North America’s top players gathered in Chicago, IL, for the Winmau Darts Championship – Event #3 on the 2024 Championship Darts Circuit. Sixty-four players started the day vying for the title, but it was “The Mawler” Gary Mawson who turned back the clock, defeating Jeff Springer 7-4 to secure his first CDC title since the 2018 Continental Cup. Both players were making their first finals appearance since 2022.

The tournament saw shocking first-round exits for Jeff Smith, Jules Van Dongen, and Danny Lauby. Second-round defeats for Stowe Buntz, Leonard Gates, and Adam Sevada left the bracket wide open. Top seed Alex Spellman failed to make it past the last 16, while former US number one Daniel Baggish fell in the quarterfinals, along with the Canadian trio of Jacob Taylor, David Cameron, and Jim Long.

Gary Mawson was in commanding form during his early matches, securing a 5-1 victory over Chris Caldwell, a 5-0 win over Jacob Schaeffer, and a 6-1 triumph over Sylvain Bourdeau. He faced a tough test in the quarterfinals, falling behind 4-3 before rallying to win the last three legs to secure victory over David Cameron. In the semifinals, Mawson opened up a 5-2 lead against Jake Womack, eventually holding on for a 7-5 win.

Springer was the giant killer of the day, knocking out Jeff Smith 5-2 in the first round, Alex Spellman 6-5 in the third round, and Daniel Baggish 6-3 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals against Nick Linberg, Springer found himself trailing 5-4 but showcased his resilience by winning three successive legs to take the match 7-5.

Despite his defeat in the last 16, Alex Spellman posted an impressive average of 95.65 on the day. Jeff Springer led the way with twelve 180s, four more than semifinalist Jake Womack, and also hit the highest checkout of the tournament with a 164.

 

Final
Gary Mawson  7-4  Jeff Springer

Semifinals
Jeff Springer  7-5  Nick Linberg
Gary Mawson  7-5  Jake Womack

Quarterfinals
Jeff Springer  6-3  Danny Baggish
Nick Linberg  6-1  Jacob Taylor
Gary Mawson  6-4  David Cameron
Jake Womack  6-2  Jim Long

The full bracket is available at: https://tv.dartconnect.com/event/cdc24dc03/brackets/72784

The CDC continues with Event #4 – the Galaxy Gold Cup – this evening in Chicago.

Article by Brian Fraser

July 13, 2024

CDC Tour Weekend #2 – Betting Preview

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As the Championship Darts Corporation (CDC) Tour prepares for its second weekend in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois from July 13-14, the darts world is buzzing with anticipation. With two months passed since the season opener in Indianapolis, players have had time to refine their game and strategize for the challenges ahead. The betting odds reflect this extended break, taking into account not just the Indianapolis results, but also players’ performances in other competitions and their historical strengths. From seasoned champions looking to assert their dominance to hungry challengers eager to make their mark, the Oakbrook Terrace event promises a smorgasbord of betting opportunities for those willing to delve deep into the intricacies of each matchup.

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Key Takeaways

  • Cameron’s Momentum: David Cameron’s recent Event #2 victory and overall standings lead make him a compelling favorite, but do the odds reflect his true potential?
  • Spellman’s Comeback: Alex Spellman’s disappointing Indianapolis showing has lengthened his odds, creating a high-risk, high-reward betting opportunity if he rediscovers his 2022 form.
  • Gates’ Gambit: Leonard Gates’ dramatic shift from Event #1 champion to Weekend #2 outsider presents an interesting dilemma for bettors weighing recent success against consistency.
  • Buntz’s Surge: Stowe Buntz’s strong start and reigning Continental Cup status have positioned him as a top contender, but can he live up to the hype in Oakbrook Terrace?

With the stage set and the odds locked in, it’s time to make your mark on the CDC Tour Weekend #2. Whether you’re backing a proven champion, a surging underdog, or spreading your bets across the field, the time to act is now. Don’t let this golden opportunity slip through your fingers – head to our expert analysis, study the latest odds, and stake your claim on what promises to be a weekend of nail-biting action and potentially lucrative outcomes. May your bets be as precise as a perfect nine-darter!

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Cameron Races to Victory in Indianapolis 501

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Two of Canada’s finest clashed in the Final at the 2024 CDC Indianapolis 501 on Sunday, with David Cameron – the 2023 CDC top-ranked Canadian – emerging victorious over the 2023 North American champion, Jeff Smith, to clinch the title. Cameron’s precision finishing proved decisive in the final, showcasing three ton-plus finishes and two more over 90.

Jeff Smith, returning to the CDC circuit after several years playing overseas, began his campaign with a 5-3 win over Sylvain Bourdeau, followed by a commanding 5-0 victory over Chris Swanson. Smith then defeated the 11th seed, Keith Way, 5-3, before delivering a blistering performance against fellow US Darts Masters qualifier, Adam Sevada, winning 6-0 with a 101 average to Sevada’s 96. He continued his impressive run with a 6-3 quarterfinal victory over Jacob Taylor and a 7-1 semifinal triumph over Jake Womack.

David Cameron, the number one seed, opened with consecutive 5-1 victories over Paul Forauer and Chris Caldwell. He narrowly escaped his last-16 matchup against Danny Young, winning 6-5, and then dispatched an out-of-sorts Daniel Baggish 6-0. Cameron’s semifinal clash against Stowe Buntz was a tight, back-and-forth affair, but he ultimately prevailed 7-5 to reach the final.

This was a big weekend for Excalibur as he not only claimed the Event #2 title, but also booked a spot at the US Darts Masters (alongside Smith and Sevada) by winning Friday’s qualifier AND secured his place as Matt Campbell’s partner on Team Canada at the World Cup of Darts to be held in Frankfurt from June 27-30.

The tournament saw several surprising early exits, with five top-10 players falling in the round of 64. Notable early casualties included Alex Spellman (2), Jim Long (6), Larry Butler (7), and Gary Mawson (9). However, the biggest shock came when Leonard Gates, the fourth seed and winner of Main Event #1, was knocked out by Jack Robinson 5-2.

Adam Sevada, who also qualified for the North American Championship and the US Darts Masters, led the way with a 92.33 average. Jeff Smith edged out David Cameron for most 180s, hitting 12. John Part had a 45% checkout rate, while Jake MacMillan recorded a tournament-high 167 checkout in his third-round loss to Jake Taylor.

Finals
David Cameron (1) 7-5 Jeff Smith

Semifinals
David Cameron (1) 7-5 Stowe Buntz (5)
Jeff Smith 7-1 Jake Womack

Quarterfinals
David Cameron (1) 6-0 Daniel Baggish (8)
Stowe Buntz (5) 6-5 Jack Robinson
Jake Womack 6-2 Jules Van Dongen (15)
Jeff Smith 6-3 Jacob Taylor (3)

The Championship Darts Corporation’s main circuit continues with Events 3 to 5, taking place July 13 and 14 in Chicago, Illinois.

Soulga Secures Opening Day Title at CDC Cosmo Darts Classic

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The 2024 Championship Darts Corporation (CDC) season kicked off with a bang in Indianapolis, Indiana, where North America’s finest talent gathered for the Cosmo Darts Classic.

In what may be one of the highest-quality finals in CDC history, Leonard Gates claimed his 7th career CDC Main Event title (and 13th CDC-related overall win) with a 7-3 victory over Doug Boehm. Both players averaged 102 in the finals, with no leg exceeding 16 darts.

The top five ranked players all advanced to the quarterfinals, but competition was fierce and Gates, seeded fourth, was the only one to survive, edging out 2023 CDC Continental Cup champion Stowe Buntz with a hard-fought 6-4 win. Gates then averaged 98.4 in a commanding semifinal victory over Danny Baggish, following earlier wins over Jake MacMillan (6-2) and a pair of whitewash victories over Jared Leedy and Paul Jones.

Doug Boehm started his campaign with victories over Matthew Thompson, Jason Roker, and Shane Meeks, going 16-5 in legs over those three matches despite some lower-than-normal scoring averages. Boehm then found his rhythm, erasing a 5-3 deficit against 2024 Cross Border champion Alex Spellman to book a semifinal tie against Jeff Smith where shook off a 3-0 deficit by running off seven of the final eight legs to earn his first trip to a CDC event final.

Top seed David Cameron, who secured his spot in the 2024 US Darts Masters last night, fell at the quarterfinal stage against Danny Baggish despite averaging seven points higher than his opponent.

Statistically, Jake Womack ended the event with the highest average (95.55) which came in a losing effort in his first-round match against Dave Richardson. Womack was followed closely by Gates’ 93.64 average over six matches on the day. Gates checked out 48% of his finishes, and both he and Doug Boehm led the way with 13 maximums each.

Finals
Leonard Gates (4) 7-3 Doug Boehm (10)

Semifinals
Leonard Gates (4) 7-3 Danny Baggish (8)
Doug Boehm (10) 7-4 Jeff Smith

Quarterfinals
Danny Baggish (8) 6-3 David Cameron (1)
Leonard Gates (4) 6-4 Stowe Buntz (5)
Doug Boehm (10) 6-5 Alex Spellman (2)
Jeff Smith 6-4 Jacob Taylor (3)

Today’s event kicked off the 2024 season, which will feature 14 events. Points earned will qualify the top American and Canadian players for the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship in London, as well as the 2024 tour championship, the CDC Continental Cup, in New York City. Event #2 kicks off on Sunday at 11:00 am Eastern time.

Article by Brian Fraser