2023 Mr. Vegas Grand Slam of Darts – Day Eight

Former Lakeside World Champion Stephen Bunting brought Stowe Buntz’s quest for GSoD glory to abrupt halt in Wolverhampton tonight. The 38-year-old Liverpudlian stormed to an impressive 16-8 triumph, helped by some superb finishing – and a few costly missed doubles by his opponent.

The first leg was a scrappy affair, but it went the way of the American against the throw. It could have been 2-0, but after Buntz wired a 147 check, Bunting had a pop at 72 – and didn’t miss. A pair of 13’s made it 3-1, the second after the Virginian fell agonizingly short of the required 106. Next leg, Buntz was sitting on 146. Two T19’s gave him a shot at 32, and again he wired it. 4-1 at the first TV break, and it could have been 4-1 the other way.

The second session was more productive, and at the next TV break, it was 5-5! The third session alsp finished 4-1. This time it was to the Englishman’s advantage again.

First leg after the break, Stowe missed two darts at 24. This miss was again punished as Bunting stole the leg with a 101 finish. Last leg before the break, missed another two at a double, and a nice 12-darter took the score to 13-7.

It was going to be an uphill struggle for the CDC Continental Cup Champion, and four legs later, it was all over. Bunting’s finishing percentage was a towering 61.5%, and that really was the difference. Not the result we wanted, but what an incredible week Stowe Buntz has had, and we just KNOW that there is plenty more in the tank! Roll on the PDC World Championship, where he is one of three Americans competing (alongside Jules Van Dongen and Alex Spellman).

Returning to Wolverhampton, and Stephen Bunting will be up against former PDC World Champ Rob Cross in the second Semi-Final tomorrow afternoon. Cross cruised past Australian Damon Heta 16-6 this evening.

So, it’s the Semis at 1.00pm, with the Final at 7.00pm.

Full details from the PDC website here

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