The Gentleman Has His Day

It was vintage Jim Long in Event 11, as he won the Galaxy Gold Cup and secured his second career CDC title with a 7-3 win over Stowe Buntz, who fell in the finals of both tournaments today. The London, Ontario man qualified for his first final since 2019 by sneaking by Louis Vessels 5-4 in an underwhelming first round tie, before hitting his stride and going 12-1 over his next 13 legs, easily dispatching both Gary Mawson and Justin Fawcett. He then fought off Dave Cameron 7-5 in a back-and-forth semifinal to book his tie with Buntz.

Buntz, for his part, proved that revenge does not always have to be served cold as he dispatched Danny Baggish 7-2 in the semifinals, ending the Florida man’s hopes of back-to-back titles and avenging the defeat he suffered in the final of Event #10. Prior to that, Buntz began the nightcap with a 5-4 defeat of Nick Linberg before seeing-off 2021’s top Canadian, John Norman Jr, 6-2 in the second round and then going on to brush-aside the 2022 PDC North American champion, Leonard Gates, 6-3, to set-up his rematch with “The Gambler.”

Jacob Taylor, who is second on the points list for Canadian players, was upset in the first round, despite averaging 97.6 for the match. Danny Baggish once again led the way in 180s with 13, giving him a total of 24 across the two events today. Ryan Vander Weit had the high out in Event 11, reeling in a 170 in leg 6 versus Jacob Taylor.

With his semifinal run this evening, Dave Cameron has positioned himself well to claim the Canadian spot at the 2023 PDC/Cazoo World Darts Championship, this December at the Alexandra Palace, London.

The 2022 Championship Darts Corporation season ends Sunday, with Event 12, the CDC 9/11 Memorial, beginning at 11:00 am from Waterdown, Ontario. At the conclusion of tomorrow’s tournament, the representatives for the World Championship will be finalized, and the CDC Continental Cup qualifiers will be determined.

 

by Brian Fraser
September 10, 2022