Winmau World Masters darts: Michael van Gerwen makes choke exit as Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price start to win

Michael van Gerwen pulled off an early shock at the Winmau World Masters as Gian van Veen and Gerwyn Price were among the players to win in Milton Keynes.

Van Gerwen is a five-time winner of the event but was the highest-ranked player knocked out on the opening night at Arena MK, suffering a 3-1 exit to Australian Damon Heta.

The Dutchman averaged just 88.36 and struggled with his finishing in a disappointing display against Heta, who took the opening set with a 124 finish but lost the second despite Van Gerwen wasting seven darts at doubles.

Heta claimed the third set with a 118 finish and completed the win with a 101 checkout, with Chris Dobey his next opponent after the Englishman broke past Jermaine Wattimena in straight sets.

“It was special that I got the win, it didn’t matter who I played,” Heta said. “Me and Michael have had a few fights over the years, but to beat him is definitely a feather in our cap.”

Big names develop before Van Gerwen leaves

The unique format of sets played over the best of three legs produced some close contests, with Van Veen – making his full debut at the tournament – having to come back from a set down to see off Ryan Joyce 3-1.

“Of course I enjoyed it, but I made it a little difficult for myself,” Van Veen told ITV. “Luckily today it was okay after the first set. 1-0 down is not the end of the world and I just kept my head down.

“I scored well, it was just the finishes that needed to go better and in the end it worked out. Double 16 helped me today and I’m really happy with this win.”

Nathan Aspinall will face Van Veen after averaging over 105 in a 3-1 win over Ireland’s Shane McGuirk, dropping the opening set to finish on 141 but taking seven out of 11 double attempts.

Price produced the performance of the night as he averaged 108.5 in a straight-set demolition of James Hurrell, coming through in four maximums and winning six of the eight available legs.

“I think I was a little bit reckless in that game,” admitted Price, who has not progressed past round two since 2022. “I had to perform well when James played great. If I had one or two slip-ups it would have been a completely different game, but luckily I was ready.”

Price will now take on Welsh WC partner Jonny Clayton – a former Masters champion and last year’s runner-up who came back from a set down to beat Dutchman Wessel Nijman 6-1.

James Wade averaged over 102 to see past Madar’s Razma in a final-set decider, while Gary Anderson produced a 101 average to beat Neils Zonneveld by the same margin to set up a second-round meeting between the veteran pair.

The last eight places in the second round will be confirmed on Friday as defending champion Luke Humphries and back-to-back world champion Luke Littler are in action against Dave Chisnall and Mike de Decker respectively.

Friday’s Winmau World Masters programme

Round 1 x 8
Best of five sets
Martin Schindler v Luke Woodhouse
Ross Smith vs Jimmy van Schie
Danny Noppert vs. Daryl Gurney
Ryan Searle v Rob Cross
Josh Rock vs. Connor Scutt
Luke Littler vs. Mike De Decker
Luke Humphries v Dave Chisnall
Stephen Bunting v Jeffrey de Graaf

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