Winmau World Masters Hull Ready to Rock
The 39th staging of the world-famous Winmau World Masters is now less than a month away, and this year^s competition looks set to be one of the best yet.
Newly signed Winmau star Scott Waites will be looking to hold on to the trophy he won for the first time last year, but with the likes of World Champion Christian Kist, 3-time World Masters winner Martin Adams, and Number 1 seed Stephen Bunting all in the field, we are sure this year will be one of the most competitive tournaments yet. Here we take a look at the runners and riders.
Defending champion Scott Waites has not had it all his own way this year, including going out at the first round stage at the recent British Open, but he will be fighting with all his might to hold on to the crown he played so well to get this time last year. On his day, he is very hard to beat, but there are people in the form to believe that he can be beaten. One such player is the number 1 seed this year Stephen Bunting, who has soared this year by winning the Gold Cup and Welsh Classic, as well as pushing James Wade all the way at the UK Open. Arguably playing his best ever darts, he is a big threat for the title, with his power scoring and fast, furious action.
Elsewhere, Martin Adams will be as steady and consistent as ever, and will feel he has a point to prove after losing the World crown at Lakeside. Always a tough cookie, and out of the entire field has the best knowledge and experience on how to win the Masters. World Champion Christian Kist announced himself in world darts at last year^s World Masters, then electrified the World Championships by tearing through the field with high-quality darts at the Lakeside. He will have to start in the floor stages, but should he get through that as he did last year, we would tip him to have another great run on TV. There will be questions as to whether he can show that form again, but we believe he is here to stay, and as he proved at Lakeside, he can be a match for anybody. His form is peaking at just the right moment, taking some impressive scalps in recent European Opens. Welsh Red Dragon legend Martin Phillips will also be starting from the floor, but is equally super-dangerous, and over the last 3 years has produced arguably some of his best TV darts.
If you^re looking for other dark horses, Red Dragon^s very own "Assassin" Martin Atkins has just won the British Open, so on paper should be the happiest with his game going into the Masters. Red Dragon^s Ross Montgomery has shown great form of late and is determined to build on his run to the semi-finals last year, where he only narrowly lost out to Winmau^s Dean Winstanley. Young Richie George, the son of Winmau legend Bobby, has shown he^s a chip off the old block with a great first year on the circuit, and his fast and flowing style should stand him in good stead on the TV.
One thing^s for sure, whoever hits the blocks fastest will have the best chance, as the short format means there can be no hanging about. We can^t wait - "Let^s Play Darts!"