The WDF World Open events took centre stage in Las Vegas on Friday, giving everyone another opportunity to earn a few extra bob and pick up some silverware.
It’s fair to say this one was more about the prestige than the prize money. Just over two grand went to the Men’s champion, while the Ladies’ winner pocketed a neat $1,000. As for the youngsters, there was enough on offer for a few packs of Haribo and perhaps an “I Love Las Vegas” baseball cap if they shopped carefully.
WORLD OPEN – MEN’S CHAMPION
This one went the way of Dutchman Moreno Blom, who probably shouldn’t expect a guest spot on Edgar TV anytime soon after beating the host of that very show in a dramatic last-leg decider.
Ironically, Blom’s nickname is “Mr Friday Night.” Whether that means he’s useless on the other six days of the week or simply saves all his good darts for then, I couldn’t possibly say. For Matt Edgar, though, he probably wishes the final had taken place twenty-four hours earlier.
Little Blommie – as I affectionately call him – and the Yorkshire-born commentator were embroiled in quite the battle. Trailing 4-2, Edgar rolled back the years to force a deciding leg, only for his Dutch opponent to agonisingly pip him at the post when it mattered most.
Still, Matt can console himself with the fact that Edgar TV is surely only months away from a lucrative Netflix deal worth £100 million a year. A couple of grand here or there won’t make much difference. For Moreno, meanwhile, the prize money might help fund another trip to Thailand with good mate Jermaine Wattimena. As for what the latter would spend his share on. If you use your imagination, you won’t be far off!
WORLD OPEN – WOMEN’S CHAMPION
This title came down to a terrific all-Welsh tungsten tussle between Eve Watson and Leanne Topper.
It’s already been a decent week for Watson, who won’t thank me for mentioning this, but it’s on t’internet anyway – she turns fifty this October. Frankly, if she keeps playing like this, there are plenty half her age who should be deeply concerned.
The Swansea native narrowly missed out in the Cricket final but, alongside newly engaged Lorraine Hyde, picked up silverware in the Open Ladies Pairs. So, with this trophy safely packed in her suitcase as well, she’s probably had worse trips across the Atlantic.
The extra £1,000 prize money should also come in handy for the birthday celebrations later this year. Perhaps a Tom Jones tribute act. Then again, that might be considered excessively Welsh, even by Welsh standards.
WORLD OPEN – BOYS CHAMPION
Peyton Hammond is having quite the week. Whenever the youngster entered an event, you know there’s a strong chance he’ll be appearing in the final. In fact, only once during his trip to Las Vegas did he fail to reach the showpiece match.
The Canadian edged out Ben Townley to claim the Youth Cricket Singles title and also came close in a couple of pairs events. Alongside Liam McNeil, he twice reached the final, only to be denied by the formidable pairing of Townley and Jack Courtney so he was probably due some kind of retribution on at least one of them.
An Open title to add to his medal haul ain’t a bad return for his trek to Sin City. And Peyton’s sister isn’t too shabby either. There’s every chance the Hammonds collect darts trophies the way some families collect fridge magnets.
WORLD OPEN – GIRLS CHAMPION
If you had a Ruby Grey vs Paige Pauling final on your betting slip, you could probably have started spending the winnings before the event began.
Once the two leading English girls found themselves on opposite sides of the draw, it felt almost inevitable that they would collide in the final. The only real surprise would have been if they hadn’t.
Having skipped the Cricket events entirely, the dynamic duo had already romped to success in the Open Girls Doubles. So a singles showdown seemed the perfect way to round things off.
And fittingly, the final delivered. In a contest that was both destined and deserved to go the distance, it was Ruby who held her nerve in the deciding leg to claim another title, another trophy and $100 which is probably by now, long gone.
