As the PDC elite land in New Zealand for the final leg of the 2025 World Series of Darts, many eyes are already looking ahead to October in the Dutch capital – and the Series Finals. Auckland is the last leg of the seven-event campaign, which opened up in January with a trip to Bahrain. From the very outset, Stephen Bunting seemed to decide that he intends to either win – or at the very least – get to the final of every single one. And for the first five of them, that’s al-most what happened.
So, about the Bahrain Masters, and it was everyone’s favourite Scouser who left with the title. After seeing off an incredibly impressive Indian challenger in Nitin Kumar, The Bullet shot a perfect round without return fire against Chris Dobey, registering a blistering 111.33 average. Not quite the highest of the tournament – that shiny badge went to Gezzy, who put 115.31 on the board against then-defending Champ, Luke Littler. By the way, no one has beaten it since. No pressure Auckland. Then Bunting edged Luke Humphries in a thrilling last-leg decider before freezing the Iceman’s trophy pursuit in the final – rallying to an 8-4 triumph. Following a pretty dismal Premier League campaign against many of the same blokes in the field, the Liverpudlian was wondering how he managed to trapse all over Europe, getting beat every Thursday night.
A couple of weeks off – well, from World Series duty anyway – and it was off to the Netherlands for the Dutch Masters. On this particular occasion, it was Rob Cross who sent a strong reminder that he is still one of the best tungsten talents on the planet – not that darts purists needed any reminders. Voltage took a couple of local (well, Dutch at least) scalps courtesy of 6-3 scorelines in seeing off Richard Veenstra and Jermaine Wattimena before booking his spot in the showdown with a 7-3 win over Price. Waiting for him there was Bunting, who we mentioned was going to feature heavily in this piece. However, it was the former World Champ who picked up his fifth World Series tour title with an 8-5 triumph.
Not content with second place, Bunting and the rest of the chaps took an early June trip over to Copenhagen – which, if you know your geography, will explain why it hosted the Nordic Mas-ters. Once again, the Bullet was firing on all cylinders, firstly seeing off Swede Oskar Lukasiask, then Jonny Clayton, Nathan Aspinall, and getting sweet revenge on Mr. Cross in the final. Tita-nium was fast becoming the official World Series kind of National Anthem at this stage.
Then the tour headed Stateside, specifically to New York City. Home of FRIENDS, yellow cabs, massive parks, hot dog vendors, and of course, Madison Square Garden. The iconic building that was about to stage the 2025 US Masters. The Big Apple also marked the competitive return to action for the Green Machine, Michael van Gerwen, after his well-publicised marital issues. The thing is, though, he had changed his kit to mainly black, rendering that particular nickname defunct. So we tagged him as the man formerly known as The Green Machine. That moniker lasted for about one report.
With all eyes on MVG, it was the world number one, Humphries who eventually took the title in the Garden. After narrowly defeating top US chucker, Stowe Buntz, Cool Hand saw off Rob Cross’s slayer, Danny Lauby, in a match the Chicago kid didn’t get going. Then, after walloping Gezzy 7-2 in the semi, claimed the crown with another close contest – 8-6 against compatriot Nathan Aspinall. Adding to his win in New Zealand last year, that was Luke’s second World Series title.
Poland came next as the fifth leg took place in Gliwice. Luke Littler was the reigning champ, but it was Gerwyn Price who stole the crown and left victorious. Only Polish number one Krzysztof Ratajski managed to crash the opening night party – defeating Jonny Clayton on home soil with a solid ton average to give the locals something to cheer for on Saturday night. But Bunting put a stop to that, ensuring the Polish Eagle flew off into the distance and taking his spot in yet another semi – that then turned into a final after getting the better of Luke Littler 7-3 to further frustrate the youngster on the World Series Tour this year. Don’t worry – it does get better for The Nuke very soon.
On the other side of the draw, Gerwyn Price was doing what he usually does – winning games of darts. The Markham Maestro got the better of Sebastian Bielecki, stuck in a big 104 average to defeat Dobes, then was once again impressive to beat Rob Cross 7-3. A second World Series Price v Bunting final, but unlike Bahrain at the start of the year, it was the Welshman who prevailed this time, grabbing the last-leg decider of an absorbing contest.
Next, the chaps flew Down Under at the start of August for the final couple of events. First stop was Wollongong, New South Wales, for the Australian Masters. A debut event for Josh Rock, Mike De Decker, and Luke Littler’s girlfriend, Faith. And it was the young Wigan lass who was the happier of the trio as she watched her fella finally bag a World Series event this year. That said, De Decker was relatively delighted with his runner-up spot after an excellent run to put pay to any question marks on his inclusion.
For the second year running, none of the Oceanic lads managed to upset the big boys. Well, Damon Heta won, but he was on the PDC side of the draw this time, so the only Aussie to grab a win in the tournament was him. Saturday night – and surprisingly, two bagellings. Bunting not allowing Rock to chalk a leg on the board – then Luke Humphries failing to register against De Decker. The Belgian then over-came Chris Dobey, and Littler finally shook his mini Bunting monkey off his back, defeating the Saints resident in the other semi-final. Seemingly, nothing was going to stop Luke Littler getting his hands on a trophy Down Under.
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The teenager was pushed all the way in game one by Haupai Puha but returned to the arena 24 hours later appearing about as revigorated and determined as an 18-year old World Champion can look. Full credit to Mike De Decker, who put up a strong fight in his maiden World Series outing, it was the Warringtonian who triumphed 8-4. Six down, one to go – New Zealand Masters this weekend.
The order of merit table is shaping up nicely. There will be invitees, PDC qualifiers, and a chance for the rest of the Tour Card holders to win a spot in the Amsterdam Finals. But for now, the top ten looks like this – oh, and barring an alien kidnapping, a refusal to travel to the Nether-lands in October, or a million other bizarre possibilities – they will be there: all trying to grab the World Series of Darts Trophy from the clutches of Richie Edhouse. Who naturally, will fancy hanging on to it.
Jack's World Series of Darts 2025
1. Stephen Bunting - 46 pts
2. Gerwyn Price - 38 pts
3. Luke Littler - 31 pts
4. Rob Cross - 27 pts
5. Luke Humphries - 24 pts
6. Nathan Aspinall - 20 pts
7. Chris Dobey - 15 pts
8. Michael van Gerwen - 9 pts
9=. Mike De Decker - 8pts
9=. Damon Heta - 8pts
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