Meet this weekend's US Darts Masters challengers: Part II
The 2025 edition of the PDC US Darts Masters will take to the iconic Madison Square Garden stage this weekend, the finest North American arrow-smiths are ready to showcase their talents by taking on the global superstars of the steel tip oche.
The North American quintet will face off against eight of the PDC's top stars, including last year’s victor, Rob Cross; the current World Champion, Luke Littler; and World number one, Luke Humphries, in what promises to be a thrilling two-day tournament.
We took a closer look at the first four North Americans who’ll be stepping up to challenge the big guns yesterday:
Meet the North American darts stars taking on the big guns in Madison Square Garden
Our second quartet are an all USA foursome that includes a senior champion and three who have broken through in the last couple of years:
Leonard Gates (USA)
The flamboyant Texan has been a regular on PDC TV majors over the past few years, and he’s a face darts fans have come to recognise. Gates has also enjoyed plenty of success on the World Seniors Darts duty, picking up three titles in 2023 alone. Across his beloved USA, the man nicknamed Soulger has racked up a plethora of titles over a star-spangled career. But, of course, he’d love to add the US Masters to that collection. This surprisingly will be only his third appearance at the tournament, but he already has a win under his belt - he beat the Queen of the Palace, Fallon Sherrock, in 2020. It might be a big ask to go all the way in New York, but Leonard’s won titles in almost every American state already, so who’s to say?
Adam Sevada (USA)
Maybe not the household name like some of his fellow continental competitors, but Adam Sevada has been impressing on the CDC circuit lately and thoroughly deserves his spot. The Reaper is part of the esteemed Red Dragon darts stable - one that’s packed with class acts. Last year’s baptism of fire saw Sevada fall to the decorated Rob Cross, but now, with that experience under his belt, he’ll be hoping to return to Madison Square Garden and put it to good use.
Jason Brandon (USA)
Tennessee thrower Jason Brandon shares a similar US Masters tale with fellow American Adam Sevada: played one, lost one - and both losses were to former PDC World Champion Rob Cross. The only difference? Brandy’s loss came a year earlier. Recently hitting the bullseye in terms of age, Brandon had an excellent Lakeside run to the semi-finals of the WDF World Championship last year before being defeated by a man who makes him look like a spring chicken - Paul Lim. So far this year, Jason has more than justified his right to be on that big stage.
Stowe Buntz (USA)
Completing the trio of CDC qualifiers is the charismatic Stowe Buntz. The Virginian made his debut US Masters appearance last year courtesy of his CDC Continental Cup win. Despite putting up a solid showing, he was Asp’d 6-2. However, the Neon Nightmare is more remembered for his incredible run to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Grand Slam of Darts. He not only made it out of his group - containing Chizzy, The Bullet, and Snakebite - but won it. In the end, it was Bunting who got his revenge, denying Stowe in the last eight. But a gutsy performance like that doesn’t go unnoticed, and Buntz is sure to bring that same fight in this year’s US Masters.
Could one of the North American eight go one better than Canadian Jeff Smith who reached the final in 2023?
2025 bet365 US Darts Masters
June 27-28, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York
PDC Representatives
Luke Humphries (England)
Luke Littler (England)
Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands)
Stephen Bunting (England)
Rob Cross (England)
Gerwyn Price (Wales)
Damon Heta (Australia)
Nathan Aspinall (England)
North American Representatives
Matt Campbell (Canada)
Jim Long (Canada)
Danny Lauby (USA)
Jules van Dongen (USA)
Leonard Gates (USA)
Adam Sevada (USA)
Jason Brandon (USA)
Stowe Buntz (USA)
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