2024 Winmau-Fleetwood Memorial Las Vegas Open – Updates

Updated: January 20, 2024

9.53 (EST)
A tidy display from Jacob Taylor earned him a memorabe victory, despite a brave fightback from his compatriot Jeff Smith. That wraps up the updates from today, and we’ll be back tomorrow. Have a good night, folks!

9.11 (EST)
David Cameron forged an early lead in his quest for a place in the final, but it was to no avail, as Jacob Taylor cleaned up the next five legs.

8.43 (EST)
Well, we are guaranteed an all-Canadian final, eh? Jeff Smith outlasted Chris Lim in the semi, making the most of the throw in the decider by kicking off with a maximum 180. Now we have to see whether his final opponent is David Cameron or Jacob Taylor.

8.12 (EST)
Add Chris Lim to that…

8.10 (EST)
So, for the first time (at least I’m pretty sure it’s the first time) we have a player from Luxembourg in the quarter-finals of the Las Vegas Open. Jim Mayer just beat Larry Butler 4-0. We have two semi-finalists already, in the shape of Jacob Taylor and Jeff Smith.

7.52 (EST)
Whatever happens in the remaining Top 16 match, there will only be two of the top 8 seeds in action; Aaron Turner (2) and Jim Widmayer (5). The only non-seeds still going are both Canadians – Jeff Smith and Jacob Taylor.

7.45 (EST)
Jim Widmayer (5) gets past Matt Thompson 4-2.

7.43 (EST)
It’s taken a few hours, but we’ve just had the first ton-plus average of the day! Adam Sevada (24) recorded a 100.35 as he beat Elliot Milk (#25) by a score of 4-2. Other seeds to claim a victory in the Top 16 included Chris Lim. The 2020 and 2023 winner of this very singles event took down Mike Neubert without dropping a leg. Second seed Aaron Turner cruised past Jake McMillan 4-0, as did #19 David Cameron (against Jeff Steinberg). Two more Canadians to win – again — were Jeff Smith (over Aaron Jalbert), and Jacob Taylor (over #10 Bruce Robbins)

7.17 (EST)
So far, the Top 32 round has seen a trio of Canadian victories over seeded Americans! That man Jeff Smith sent #17 Robbie Phillips packing, Matt Arpin (15) couldn’t get past Jake McMillan, and Jacob Taylor ended the hopes of Oklahoma’s Dustin Holt (#7). Adam Sevada restored some home pride with a 4-1 defeat of Albert Anstey, and a 93.34 average. Tucson’s Mike Neubert got the better of 2023 US #1 – and #4 seed – Kevin Luke 4-2.

7.10 (EST)
Chattanooga’s Joe Chaney (#9) left the singles at the Top 64 stage. He lost to Canada’s Albert Anstey – who I assume is the same Albert Anstey who was one of the World’s Top players back in the early 90’s? If so, it’s great to see such a comeback after 30 years!

There were also defeats in this round for Tom Sawyer (12), Patrick Kithi (20), Dave Ladley (23), and Scott Estle (32). They lost to Wayne Ramsier, Robert McCoy, Joey Lynaugh (in a repeat of the 501 Nationals final), and Aaron Jalbert.

7.00 (EST)
So, apologies for the short break, but dinner beckoned! Although only seeded #10, it certainly wasn’t a huge shock to see Fallon Sherrock MBE lift the women’s title. Wendy Reinstadtler can certainly be proud of her performances today.

6.06 (EST)
D.I. Sayre beat #8 seed, Gary Mawson at Top 64. A round earlier, Kevin Yasenchak (21) lost to his near-neighbor Danny Russano (they’re both from Cleveland), and Colm Neilson (18) went out to Denver’s Nick Coachman Jr.

5.55 (EST)
The women’s semis will feature Wendy Reinstadtler (England) against #5 seed Maria Carli (Canada), and Florida’s # 3 Paula Murphy (reigning LVO 501singles titlist) taking on England’s 2022 World Matchplay Champion, Fallon Sherrock MBE (10). Eric Gregory (16) was put out by 2015 Las Vegas Open Champ, Jeff Smith.

5.25 (EST)
Harrison Carter (31) loses to experienced Canadian Ken MacNeil, making a welcome return to the big time. The women’s doubles cricket is underway…

5.20 (EST)
England’s John Scott, seeded third, is out, having lost 3-1 to Canadian Steve Foster at Top 128. A round ahead, top seed Leonard Gate has gone too. ‘Soulger’ fell in a seventh-leg decider to Brandon Perez, who is having a great weekend so far! #5 Maria Carli is in the semis, taking care of compatriot Alicia Looker in five legs, as is #3 Paula Murphy, who beat Julie Weger 4-2.

5.12 (EST)
Wendy Reinstadtler reaches the semis with a magnificent defeat of #1 seed, Deta Hedman – and the second highest average of the day with 81.24. Fallon Sherrock posted an 84.68 against Tracy Feiertag the previous round. Maria Carli currently leads, while the Murphy/Weger match is finely balanced at 2-2.

5.05 (EST)
Aaron Rench is the first men’s seed to depart, losing to Canadian Ross Snook. Two non-seeded women have reached the quarter-finals – Wendy Reinstadtler and Alicia Looker. The Top 8 lineup is: Deta Hedman (1) vs Wendy Reinstadtler, Alicia Looker vs Maria Carli (5), Anca Zijlstra (2) vs Fallon Sherrock (10), and Paula Murphy (3) vs Julie Weger (6).

4.37 (EST)
Highest averages for the men (so far) are ADO President Jim Widmayer (93.94), Canadian Jeff Smith (93.90), Nevada’s Brandon Perez (92.02), and Ohioan D.J. Sayre (90.18). Top for the women is Wendy Reinstadtler’s 75.42, with Fallon Sherrock’s 74.22 in second.

4.28 (EST)
Twenty-six seeded men completed their opening round so far – and twenty-six of them are in the second round!

4.25 (EST)
Anca Zijlstra (2) beat Paige Pierce, and Andrea Taylor (12) saw off Sora Takahashi. Clashes in the Top 16 that were “expected” (according to the seeding) are Maria Carli (5) vs Andrea Taylor (12), and Paula Murphy (3) vs Liz Tynan (14). If Tracy Feiertag (7) beats Tanja Bencic (26), then she will make another, facing Fallon Sherrock MBE (10). There are twelve seeds in the Top 16, with four non-seeded players. These are, Wendy Reinstadtler, Alicia Looker, Jessica Melton, and Tammy Dauber.

4.13 (EST)
Seventeen seeds in the men still alive, and none out of the tournament. Tanja Bencic (26) beat Kaylee Roy to complete the Top 32.

4.08 (EST)
Having reached the Top 32 in the women, seeds are starting to meet seeds. Seeds that have beaten lower-ranked seeds, or non-seeded opponents, are Julie Weger (against Danna Foster), Liz Tynan (Jolie Brant), Maria Carli (Crystal Chiasson), Deta Hedman (Dawn Robertson), Paula Murphy (Denise Johns), and Fallon Sherrock (Lisa Tyler). Players beating higher-ranked opponents are, Cassy Scantlen (against Sandy Haas), Sandy Hudson (Marlise Kiel), Wendy Reinstadtler (Carolyn Mars), Alicia Looker (Carole Herriott), and Clayanna Brandon (Aaja Jalbert).

3.59 (EST)
Seven of the men’s seeds have safely negotiated their first round matches, and none have yet lost. There is one Top 64 match for the women to be completed.

3.52 (EST)
None of the men’s seeds have been in action yet, as we are still in the preliminary round.

In the Top 64 of the women, we have now lost #4 seed, Cali West. The girl from Syracuse, NY, went down in five legs against Canada’s Alicia Looker. Yes, you may have noticed, there are a ton of Canadians down here this weekend! One of them, Trish Grzesik (#11 seed) is also out, losing 3-2 to Missouri’s Tammy Dauber. Another one, Dawn Robertson, sent Amanda ‘Stitches’ Preciado to the sidelines, also in five.

Lisa Yee (22) is out, losing to Dimple Ranches, while New Yorker Marie McHugh was defeated by Lisa Tyler. Cali West’s partner from the Salt City, Robin Curry (15) lost in four legs to Jessica Melton.

3.16 (EST)
Several of the women’s seeds fell at the first hurdle in the WDF Gold Singles, and in particular, it was a bad day for New England. New Hampshire’s Brittany Edgett (24) slipped to a disappointing defeat against Cheyenne Richards, while the Boston trio of Bette Cunningham, Sally Kelly, and Patty Walz all exited in the Top 128 round also. Cunningham (19) was edged out by Canadian Nancy McCrae in a five-leg thriller, and Kelly (18) and Walz (31) were beaten by Kelly Thibault and Paige Pierce respectively. The other seeds to fall were #28 Dani Warmack, at the hands of Carmen Marie McGowan, and #21 Shea Cole, to Sora Takahashi (Canada).

There were no such problems for Deta Hedman, Sandy Hudson, Maria Carli, Paula Murphy, Lisa Yee, Julie Weger, Fallon Sherrock MBE, or Cali West, who all posted averages in excess of 60.00. However, pride of place goes to England’s Wendy Reinstadtler who had the highest average of the round with a mighty 72.74. Second-seeded Anca Zijlstra wasn’t far behind with a 71.57.

2.47 (EST)
Colorado’s Ankheluun Munkhbayasgalan captured the WDF-ranked girls’ singles from Canadian Katie Gallant. Following up her appearance in both senior National Championships this week, the 17-year-old won by a score of 4 legs to 2. Second-seeded Anca Zijlstra wasn’t far behind with her 71.57.

Canadian Peyton Hammond took the WDF-ranked boys’ singles from Oklahoma’s Coby Chrisman. Hammond recorded a fine three-dart average of 69.91 in his straight-legs victory.