- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Moments of the 2017 WDC
- Updated: January 4, 2017
We’ve picked out some magical checkouts and momentous moments from a record-breaking 2017 PDC World Darts Championship, which saw Michael van Gerwen crowed ‘king of the oche’.
The Dutchman silenced his critics by ending a three-year wait to reclaim the PDC World Championship title at Alexandra Palace in Sunday’s final and the world No 1 produced some marvellous arrows of his own.
But we start our magic moments theme all the way back on December 15 when Alexandra Palace opened its doors to darting paradise…
Opening day delight
The curtain raiser saw reigning World Darts Champion Gary Anderson record a comfortable opening-night victory over Mark ‘Forsty The Throwman’ Frost while there were also wins for Kevin Painter, Michael Smith and Jamie Lewis.
World Youth Champion Smith won a five-set thriller against ‘Rapid’ Ricky Evans, who threw a maximum in record-quick time.
Early marker
Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright laid down a marker with a straight-sets victory against Jerry Hendriks, while ‘The Adonis’ Steve Beaton and debutant Jonny Clayton also triumphed.
Cristo & Dimitri go at it hammer & tongs
On a night when Michael van Gerwen set the standard by making light work of Scandinavian qualifier Kim Viljanen, there was much to enjoy with Spanish star Cristo Reyes edging past dancing sensation Dimitri Van den Bergh in a high-quality encounter.
Stephen Bunting was punished for missing seven match darts as Darren Webster sent him crashing out in a tie-break while Terry ‘The Bull’ Jenkins charged through along with Andrew Gilding and Benito van de Pas.
Diamond geezer
Phil Taylor’s bid to be crowned as world champion for a 17th time began with a comfortable first-round victory over David Platt as Ian ‘Diamond’ White, Mark Webster, Chris Dobey, Alan ‘Chuck’ Norris and Daryl Gurney progressed.
The King of finishes
Adrian Lewis began his campaign with a routine victory, while Meryvn King and ‘The Rockstar’ Joe Cullen both came through exciting encounters.
Magical arrows from ‘The Wizard’
Raymond van Barneveld and Simon Whitlock breezed through with straight sets victories as Brendan Dolan also won.
‘The Machine’ revs up
James Wade caught the eye while Robert Thornton and Mensur Suljovic also moved safely through with straight-sets …
