PDC 2023 Masters Day One – Dobey Sends Defending Champion Packing

The first night of the PDC 2023 Masters got underway in Milton Keynes, with World Ranked 9-24 facing off to set up games with the top eight.

Defending Champion Out

Chris Dobey puts in a Hollywood performance to defeat last year’s champion 6-4. 

The game started very even but a key moment came in the middle of the game with Cullen sitting on a finish, Dobey hit a bull, followed by a 25 and then a second bull to take out a fantastic finish.

Dobey defeats defending Champion on opening night

The finish changed the game, and Hollywood’s scoring power was just too much for Joe Cullen.

Chris Dobey fired in 11 more 140s than Joe Cullen throughout the game and that seemed to be different creating more chances.

The reward for Chris Dobey is a game against 2022 four-time European Tour winner and World Number five Luke Humphries.

Anderson Makes Practice Count

Gary Anderson defeated Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-4 in a game that was full of 180s, with a Masters Round One record of 10 180s hit between the players.

Gary Anderson who joined us on the Online Darts Live Lounge this week discussed the amount of practicing he has been putting in and that was clear to see early on in with the 180s flying in.

Anderson was able to take a two-leg after four holds of throw in the game to lead 4-2. Dimitri wasn’t giving up the fight and got things level.

The key leg in the game was the ninth, with both players missing multiple darts at the double before Anderson won the leg, and took the momentum into the final leg to seal the win.

Gary Anderson will return tomorrow evening to face Rob Cross.

Elsewhere On The Opening Night

German Giant was unable to capitalise on his huge success at the World Championships and fell to defeat at the hands of Jose de Sousa 6-4.

Dave Chisnall fired in the biggest checkout of the night, with a 161 to win in style in the tournament’s opening game against Ryan Searle.

Dave Chisnall enjoying the 161 checkout.
Dave Chisnall enjoying the 161 checkouts.

James Wade and Dirk van Duijvenbode both eased to victories over Callan Rydz and Krzysztof Ratajski respectively.

Stephen Bunting stopped the Nathan Aspinall fightback. After leading 4-0 Bunting needed all 11 legs to finally get over the line.

Ross Smith defeated Damon Heta to close out the opening round. A game of holds, with 11 straight holds of throw to defeat The Heat and set up a mouth-watering tie with the World Champion.

Friday January 27 
First Round x8
Dave Chisnall 6-5 Ryan Searle
James Wade 6-2 Callan Rydz
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Krzysztof Ratajski
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Nathan Aspinall
Gary Anderson 6-4 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Jose de Sousa 6-4 Gabriel Clemens
Chris Dobey 6-4 Joe Cullen
Damon Heta v Ross Smith

Saturday January 28
Afternoon Session (1245 GMT)
Danny Noppert v Stephen Bunting
Rob Cross v Gary Anderson
Jonny Clayton v James Wade
Luke Humphries v Chris Dobey

Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Second Round x4
Gerwyn Price v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Peter Wright v Dave Chisnall
Michael Smith v Damon Heta/Ross Smith
Michael van Gerwen v Jose de Sousa

Sunday January 29
Afternoon Session (1245 GMT)
Quarter-Finals

Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Semi-Finals & Final