Clayton wins Ladbrokes Masters and final Premier League place

Cazoo Masters

Jan 31 2021

Jonny Clayton lifted his first individual televised PDC title at the Ladbrokes Masters by defeating Mervyn King 118.

Van Gerwen knocked out by Clayton on Ladbrokes Masters Day Two

Cazoo Masters

Jan 30 2021

The Ladbrokes Masters continues with round two in Milton Keynes on Saturday.

Lewis battles to victory over Smith on Ladbrokes Masters Day One

Cazoo Masters

Jan 29 2021

Adrian Lewis defeated Michael Smith on the opening night of the Ladbrokes Masters.

2021 Ladbrokes Masters preview

Cazoo Masters

Jan 28 2021

The Ladbrokes Masters gets underway in Milton Keynes on Friday.

Durrant out to banish confidence issues at Ladbrokes Masters

Cazoo Masters

Jan 27 2021

Glen Durrant is aiming to put his confidence issues behind him at this weekend's Ladbrokes Masters.

Van Gerwen on why time is right to try new darts at Ladbrokes Masters

Cazoo Masters

Jan 26 2021

Michael van Gerwen has explained why he will be throwing new darts at this weekend's Ladbrokes Masters.

Empty arenas lead Aspinall to 'drastic' equipment change

Cazoo Masters

Jan 22 2021

Nathan Aspinall has revealed how empty arenas have lead him to a 'drastic' equipment change.

'Hungry' Van Gerwen vows to regain number one spot

News

Jan 21 2021

Michael van Gerwen has vowed to regain the world number one spot.

Gurney eager to move on from 'gutting' Ally Pally defeat at Masters

Cazoo Masters

Jan 19 2021

Daryl Gurney is determined to put his 'gutting' World Championship defeat behind him at The Masters.

PDC & ITV secure new multi-year contract

News

Jan 18 2021

Coverage of Professional Darts Corporation events on ITV Sport is to continue until at least the end of 2022.

The 2020 Ladbrokes Masters was held from January 31-February 2 at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.

The top 16 players on the PDC Order of Merit following the 2019/2020 World Championship competed across three days in Milton Keynes.

Peter Wright made the perfect start to life as World Champion, defeating Michael Smith 11-10 in a thrilling final to claim the win the first TV event of the year.

Friday January 31
First Round

Michael Smith 10-6 Mensur Suljovic
Nathan Aspinall 10-4 James Wade
Jonny Clayton 10-6 Michael van Gerwen
Adrian Lewis 10-5 Rob Cross

Saturday February 1 (1900 GMT)
First Round

Dave Chisnall 10-8 Daryl Gurney
Gary Anderson 10-8 Ian White
Peter Wright 10-7 Joe Cullen
Gerwyn Price 10-9 Simon Whitlock

Sunday February 2
Afternoon Session (1245 GMT)
Quarter-Finals

Michael Smith 10-6 Adrian Lewis
Nathan Aspinall 10-8 Jonny Clayton
Gary Anderson 10-2 Gerwyn Price
Peter Wright 10-0 Dave Chisnall

Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Semi-Finals

Michael Smith 11-10 Nathan Aspinall
Peter Wright 11-7 Gary Anderson

Final
Peter Wright 11-10 Michael Smith

Peter Wright claimed glory in his first tournament as World Champion, winning the 2020 Ladbrokes Masters in dramatic fashion against Michael Smith in Milton Keynes on Sunday.

A thrilling final reached an unpredictable climax at the Marshall Arena as Smith squandered three match darts in the deciding leg, before Wright kept his composure to hit double eight with his last dart in hand to seal further glory.

It was a maiden Masters triumph for Wright after claiming the World Championship crown on New Year's Day, securing back-to-back televised titles for the first time in his career.

"I'm a very lucky player tonight, Michael should've won that," admitted Wright, who pockets the £60,000 top prize.

"I've been in his position many times before, so I know how he's feeling and it's not nice.

"But, I'm obviously over the moon to win the first tournament of the year and hopefully there will be many more.

"I think my performance dipped at the end of the day, I started missing too many doubles so I need to cut that out.

"Overall, I'm really happy with how this weekend went and I'd like to thank the amazing crowd for making it another special night for me."

Earlier in the day, world number two Wright whitewashed Dave Chisnall 10-0 in the afternoon's quarter-finals before seeing off his Scottish World Cup winning teammate Gary Anderson 11-7 in the semi-finals.

Smith, meanwhile, overcame Adrian Lewis 10-6 in the last eight before coming through a last-leg decider with Nathan Aspinall to set up a showdown with Wright.

The final began with Wright starting the stronger of the pair, taking a commanding 5-2 lead, only for a determined Smith to fight his way back into the contest at 6-4 despite not being at his fluent best.

A crucial break of throw followed for Smith, who then landed a 130 checkout to level it up at 8-8, and after the next four legs were shared the contest went all the way to a one-leg shoot-out.

Smith kicked off the decider with his eighth 180 of the match and followed up with a 140, but a 171 visit from Wright piled the pressure on the St Helens man, who missed two darts at double top and one at his favourite double ten to take victory.

Wright then found double eight at the third time of asking to bring the curtain down on a dramatic final, leaving Smith to rue yet another agonisingly close bid for a second TV title.

"Peter could've easily buried me earlier in the game but when I gave myself a chance I missed it again," said a frustrated Smith.

"I wanted it so much - I think I threw too hard at the doubles for the match, but when they left my hand they felt like they were going in.

"It's another runner-up trophy to add to my big collection but I'll get over it and tomorrow I'll be back on the board practicing double top.

"It is a positive start to 2020, even though I'm feeling so disappointed right now, but I've got the Premier League and UK Open to look forward to around the corner."

Wright and Smith will now turn their attentions to Night One of the 2020 Unibet Premier League, which will take place at Aberdeen's new P&J Live on Thursday.

Anderson also enjoyed a strong start to the year ahead of the Premier League, with the two-time World Champion having averaged 102 in his superb 10-2 quarter-final win over Gerwyn Price.

Reigning UK Open champion Aspinall also won through to the semi-finals after continuing his Masters debut with a 10-8 win over Jonny Clayton, who was unable to follow up his defeat of Michael van Gerwen despite a strong display in the quarter-finals.