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The annual flagship darts tournament kicked off last night where Michael Van Gerwen enters as the overwhelming favourite to win a second title. The tournament is due to finish on January 3rd but who do we see making it all the way this year?

 

Other strong contenders include reigning champ Gary Anderon, 2 time previous winner Adrian Lewis, the eccentric Peter Wright and of course the greatest player of all time, Phil Taylor.

Can't see anybody stopping Michael Van Gerwen at the moment for a outside chance possibly James Wade.

 

 

Almost an enormous upset in the first round for Van Gerwen, being taken to a deciding set by qualifier René Eidams.

 

Incredible match, would have been one of the greatest upsets of all time and it nearly happened!

Indeed a massive scare for Van Gerwen there. It'll be interesting to see how he does in his next match.

 

 

Phil Taylor easily through against qualifier Ono however big names Ian White & Simon Whitlock both out this side of Christmas.

We'll see how Phil does the rest of the tourney.....

2012 runner-up Andy Hamilton is out in the first round losing to qualifer Joe Murnan who amusingly celebrated prematurely one leg too early.

2012 runner-up Andy Hamilton is out in the first round losing to qualifer Joe Murnan who amusingly celebrated prematurely one leg too early.

Here's the video for it:

 

 

He would have felt a right wally if he'd lost the match after celebrating prematurely.

 

 

Alan Norris has whitewashed the World Grand Prix champion Robert Thornton. Quite a shock there.

 

 

Alan Norris has whitewashed the World Grand Prix champion Robert Thornton. Quite a shock there.

 

Yep that's a huge shock. Thornton of course won the World Grand Prix this year beating Van Gerwen in a epic final.

 

Former Youth Champion Michael Smith scraping through into round 2 - a lot of new blood causing some real drama in this first round!

Dean Winstanley becomes the latest seed to exit with Ronny Huybrechts beating 3-2 in sets on a tie-break.

 

 

All the favourites from tonight's matches safely through to the last 16 in Anderson, Chizzy & Caven although Anderson had to fight back from a blistering start from Gurney.

Solid recovery from Van der Voort from 2-0 down to beat Kyle Anderson 4-2 with a 134 checkout.

 

 

I'm longing for a match between Van Der Voort & Ricky Evans. Would be over in 10 minutes!

Outstanding win from MVG there, averaging over 109 in a 4-0 demolition over the Demolition Man!

 

Wade also through comfortably beating Wes Newton 4-0. Barney won a close match with Stephen Bunting 4-3 and he'll face Van Gerwen in the last 16.

One of the greatest games I've ever witnessed sees odds on favourite Van Gerwen knocked out before the quarter finals to Van Barneveld!

 

Earlier Adrian Lewis & Gary Anderson registered comfortable 4-0 victories.

Van Gerwen out already!?

 

How's the Peter Griffin lookalike doing? :lol: Surely Phil Taylor is favourite now, unless he's declined in recent years.

 

Favourite is now reigning Champ Gary Anderson (pictured in the OP), Taylor second although he's about fifth or sixth favourite in my book.

And Taylor is no longer in the championship thanks to a fantastic win for 2006 BDO World Champ Jelle Klaasen to beat him in the final set. I somehow doubt that Taylor will win another world title.

 

 

It was actually a bit sad that he lost last night, he just couldn't maintain any form of consistency and the fight just seemed to not be there, which is strange because he has been sounding very motivated and passionate all week.

 

I think this year will be his last, maybe bow out at these championships next year. A full calendar year to do it all one last time.

 

James Wade :wub: him vs Anderson is going to be a corker.

 

Wright/Chisnall was possibly the most exciting game of darts I've ever seen.