These facts put Adams’ achievement into sharp perspective. Some of the greats of the game failed to get their hand on this trophy and only five other players have won it more than once. Adams has joined a select band. But for all that, the darts forums were a buzz of discontent over the weekend with many questioning Adams’ success, laying into the BDO’s organisation and slating the BBC’s sub-standard coverage. It seems that the World Masters may be losing its magic.

Hollow Man
It is difficult to criticise a player who has just accomplished a feat few other players in the history of the game have achieved. The BDO is where Adams chooses to ply his trade and so he can only beat the players in front of him. However , there is no doubt that the overall quality of the field was weaker this year; the recent BDO to PDC defections of several top players has left a yawning gap in quality and a lack of familiar names. This in turn has left the organisers terrified of having no familiar faces in the latter stages.

Which has led to gripe number two – recent format changes introduced a couple of years ago now see the top eight seeds ushered straight through to the Last 16. It certainly addresses the issue above but is hardly fair for the other couple of hundred entrants. Although seeding isn’t anything new, seeding players through to the Last 16 of a tournament with hundreds of starters is pushing it a little. The dishing out of wildcards muddies the water even further and contributes to a befuddled format that has taken the event backwards in the last couple of years.

With the weakened field and helping hand of the seeding rules, the accusation is that the 2009 World Masters was arguably the easiest to win in comparison to years gone by. It seems a fair point. Adams has been a, if not the, top BDO player for several years and will retire with an enviable record. Should he be taking on the very best in the world over the great divide? I think he should personally and until he does, his achievements will ultimately be tagged as hollow.
The seeding rules are weighted too much towards the top seeds and the BDO needs to be braver in having a firm re-think about the format of a tournament that has developed a few holes. How are the unfamiliar faces ever to become familiar if the cards are stacked against them? A constant criticism of the BDO is their resistance to change and it would seem that with the current format they are hoping for a Martin Adams versus Ted Hankey final every year.

Just Average?
The decline in overall quality may be subjective and ultimately boil down to opinion. There are certainly fewer well known players than ever in the BDO, due in part to defections and reduced TV coverage. Household names in darts are a thing of the eighties, with the possible exception of Taylor, Barney and The Legends, and none of these play in the BDO (although Peter Evison is currently giving it a go).

A look at the averages from this year’s latter stages show an average three dart average of 89.35 across 23 matches. In 2008 the same stage saw an average of 92.43 and in 2007 it was 90.88. A PDC comparison shows the tournament average of the 2009 World Matchplay was 93.67 across 31 matches. This certainly indicates a drop in standards at the World Masters.

Any player will tell you that it’s not all about the averages but a good one helps and across enough matches it is a fair indicator of quality. High averages don’t always mean exciting games either and there were some great tussles in this year’s World Masters without the high quality scoring. But the nagging feeling is that the event has become weak and stale and lives in the shadow of the PDC’s own major tournaments.

Anti Auntie Beeb
And it would appear that this is the reason for the BBC’s declining enthusiasm for putting on a good show. In spite of renewing the contract for a further three years, they appear to be losing interest, delivering a rather slipshod presentation in 2009. There was very little razzle and dazzle, airtime was reduced from previous years, and there was some shoddy presenting from interviewers and commentators. In mitigation, Ray Stubbs departure was unfortunate and the BBC will need time to find an adequate replacement. It was also disappointing that no airtime was given to the ladies or youth competitions (unless we all blinked and missed it). Much of the action was put behind the red button but no thought was given to providing entertainment between matches and during breaks.

There are fans who simply want to watch a game of darts, but darts fandom (and TV for that matter) has changed in recent times and people want to be entertained with an all round package – good darts AND a bit of razzmatazz. This is what Sky and the PDC do so well and they will always be the barometer for televised darts. Every station that ventures into covering the sport, be it Setanta, ITV, Challenge TV, Nuts TV or the BeeB, is ultimately compared to Sky’s established and polished coverage. And rightly so as they have set the standard.

It’s a chicken and egg situation – the BDO are reluctant to change so the event gets stale and the BBC lose interest. One of them has to be brave and find a way to inject some life back into what is a prestigious tournament that should be covered to a higher standard. It seems that the BDO bowed to BBC pressure to move the event forward from late November to early September, and agreed to the match timings that saw the semi finals brought forward two hours and ditched from the main coverage. It is unfortunate that elements of this tournament along with the BDO’s own qualifying criteria have been compromised by TV demands. Is it another indication of the relationship waning?

Last year BBC1 had Saturday coverage from 1pm to 4:30pm; this year remained the same. However Sunday coverage last year had BBC2 showing the semis and final from 1:30pm to 5:30pm, an hour and a half more than this year which only showed the final live on BBC2 between 3:30 and 6:00pm. The action was behind the red button and on the internet but that isn’t an entertaining package and is more evidence of the BBC demoting the importance of the BDO’s second most prestigious tournament.

Now And Then
In winning his three back to back titles, Bob Anderson had to beat John Lowe in the final twice. Lowe is a true legend of the game, who was then at the top of his game and won the World Masters twice himself. On the way to his five titles, Eric Bristow left legends such as Leighton Rees, Keith Deller, Dave Whitcombe, Bobby George, Mike Gregory and John Lowe trailing in his wake. The winner of today’s Winmau World Masters will undoubtedly breathe a sigh of relief that a field of that quality need not be overcome; the current day equivalents all ply their trade over at the PDC.

The quarter finals are complete and the stage is set for finals day. The full line up looks like this…

09.30 Women Semi-Final  Trina Gulliver (Eng) 4-0 Francis Hoenselaar (Nl)

10.15 Women Semi-Final  Dee Bateman (Eng) 3-4 Linda Ithurralde (Eng)

11.00 Women Final  Gulliver/Hoenselaar 3-4 Bateman/Ithurralde

11.30 Men Semi-Final  Tony O’Shea (Eng) 2-6 Martin Adams (Eng)

13.00 Men Semi-Final   Lourence Ilagan (Phi) 3-6 Robbie Green (Eng)

14.30 Girls Final  Emily Davidson (Sco) 1-4 Zoe Jones (Eng)

15.00 Boys Final Jamie Lewis (Wal) 4-1 Jeffrey Stigter (Nl)

16.30 Men Final  Martin Adams 7-6 Robbie Green

Will we see a Planet Of The Apes battle in the final?! Silverback v Kong is a possibility!

Results for Saturday’s Last 16 and Quarter Finals…

09.00 Joey ten Berge (8) (Nl) 3 v 2 Steve Douglas (Eng)
09.30 Ross Montgomery (6) (Sco) 1 v 3 Robbie Green (Eng)
10.00 Scott Waites (2) (Eng) 2 v 3 Lourence Ilagan (Phi)
10.30 Darryl Fitton (3) (Eng) 1 v 3 Connie Finnan (Rep. Ire)
11.00 Tony O’Shea (1) (Eng) 3 v 0 Dave Prins (Eng)
11.30 Steve West (7) (Eng) 3 v 1 Kim Huybrechts (Bel)
13.00 Martin Adams (5) (Eng) 3 v 1 Magnus Caris (Swe)
13.30 Ted Hankey (4) (Eng) 1 v 3 Gino Vos (Nl)

14.30 1st Quarter-Final: Tony O’Shea (1) 3 v 0 Joey ten Berge (8)
15:00 2nd Quarter-Final Martin Adams (5) 3 v 1 Gino Vos
15.30 3rd Quarter-Final Lourence Ilagan 3 v 2 Steve West (7)
16.00 4th Quarter-Final Robbie Green 3 v 0 Connie Finnan

Day one of the 2009 Winmau World Masters was played at "The Spa"
Bridlington today. The floor matches in the Men’s event were played down to the
last eight. These players will meet the eight seeded players in tomorrows stage
matches which will start at 09.00 BST. The Quarter-Final matches are scheduled
to start at 14.30 BST

The Women’s Semi-Finals and Final plus the Boy’s and Girl’s Finals will be
played on Sunday together with the Men’s Semi-Finals and Final.

For all today’s results please visit the results page.

Saturday will play down to the quarter finals with the semis and final taking place on Sunday. The last 16 draw looks like this…

09.00 Joey ten Berge (8) (Nl) v Steve Douglas (Eng)
09.30 Ross Montgomery (6) (Sco) v Robbie Green (Eng)
10.00 Scott Waites (2) (Eng) v Lourence Ilagan (Phi)
10.30 Darryl Fitton (3) (Eng) v Connie Finnan (Rep. Ire)
11.00 Tony O’Shea (1) (Eng) v Dave Prins (Eng)
11.30 Steve West (7) (Eng) v Kim Huybrechts (Bel)
13.00 Martin Adams (5) (Eng) v Magnus Caris (Swe)
13.30 Ted Hankey (4) (Eng) v Gino Vos (Nl)

The 2009 BDO Winmau World Masters will once again be the richest two-day tournament on terrestrial TV with record-breaking prize money, and the September dates have been agreed in order to provide the 2009 World Masters with the best possible scheduling times from BBC TV. They will also provide a longer gap between the World Masters and the BDO Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships, scheduled for nine consecutive days on BBC TV from January 2nd to 10th, 2010.

“We are delighted that the BBC are screening the 36th BDO Winmau World Masters on
a weekend that will provide us with the optimum amount of airtime on both the Saturday and Sunday”, says Olly Croft, Managing Director of BDO Enterprises Ltd.

“The Masters always enjoys excellent TV audiences. Last year it attracted an average audience of 1 million on the Saturday with a peak of 1.5m. On Sunday the average was 1.2m with a peak of 1.8m for the final.

“We will be looking to build on those figures this year and, with the World Master (or standby player) gaining entry to the 2010 World Pro, there is an important and solid link between the BDO’s two top BBC televised majors.”

Staged and promoted by the British Darts Organisation, the Winmau World Masters have been played in Bridlington since 2002 and will be returning to The Spa for the second year since its £20 million re-development.

“We now regard Bridlington as the true home of the World Masters”, says Ian Flack, Sales & Marketing Director of Winmau. “The Spa is a wonderful venue and the support of East Riding of Yorkshire Council has played a major part in their success.

“I am also delighted to confirm that we have signed a 3-year contract with John Smith’s to continue as our associate sponsors.”

Gareth Turner, Senior Brand Manager, Ale, Scottish & Newcastle UK says:

“John Smith’s are delighted to have agreed the new three-year contract with Winmau to continue as associate sponsors of the World Masters. This is a perfect fit in our darts portfolio, which includes our valued involvement with Bob Potter and the Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships.

“We are also fully committed to promoting darts in pubs and clubs across the country through the John Smith’s People’s Darts initiative. In January this produced our first ever John Smith’s People’s Darts Champion, Tim ‘Teapot’ Jones, who will be competing in the 2009 World Masters as a sponsors invite.

“We are delighted that they all combine to strengthen our relationship with the sport of darts and the British Darts Organisation.”

Alan Menzies – Director of Planning and Economic Regeneration for East Riding of Yorkshire Council says:
“East Riding of Yorkshire Council and East Yorkshire Events are extremely pleased that the BBC has once again agreed to screen the 2009 Winmau World Masters from The Spa, Bridlington. We believe the new September dates will allow us to showcase this amazing event to an even wider audience than ever before.
“We are also excited to announce a new five year sponsorship deal with Winmau to keep the World Masters at its true spiritual home of The Spa, Bridlington.
“This continues East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s commitment of bringing top class events to the area and further enhances East Yorkshire Events’ reputation at the forefront of event delivery.

The BDO Winmau World Masters is a true World Championship with players from seventy countries being invited, including singles darts champions from over 140 national and international events worldwide.

Approximately 400 players will converge on Bridlington for this year’s World Masters, which will mark the 36th anniversary of the oldest established major in world darts (1974-2009).

The World Masters are the only major Championships in darts with four separate finals – Men, Women, Boys and Girls.

FOR SEEDING AND DRAW PURPOSES, THE CLOSING DATE FOR ALL ENTRIES IS:
FRIDAY, JULY 31ST, 2009

2008 WINMAU WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONS:

MEN’S MASTER MARTIN ADAMS (ENG)

WOMEN’S MASTER FRANCIS HOENSELAAR (NETH)

BOY’S MASTER SHAUN GRIFFITHS (ENG)

GIRL’S MASTER LINDA ODEN (SWE)

2008 WINMAU WORLD MASTERS STATISTICS

The high standard of play in the 2008 Winmau Men’s World Masters was epitomised by Martin Adams, who on his way to being crowned 2008 Winmau Men’s Master, recorded a single dart average of 35.26 in his Sem-Final with Tony O’Shea.

Tony recorded a 33.89 single dart average and lost!

Martin also hit eleven 100+ checkouts, including the highest of the tournament which won him an additional £1,000 to add to his £25,000 World Masters winning cheque. He hit the most 180’s – 18 in total – closely followed by Tony O’Shea with 15 maximums.

The overall single dart tournament average for the stage matches in the 2008 Men’s World Masters was an outstanding 31.13.

The 2008 WINMAU WORLD MASTERS enjoyed an average BBC TV audience of 1 million on Saturday, December 6th (11.3% share) with a peak of 1.5m (12.5%).

On Sunday, December 7th the average was 1.2m (9.0% share) with a peak of 1.8m (10.3%) for the final.

The 2009 BDO Winmau World Masters will once again be the richest two-day tournament on terrestrial TV with record-breaking prize money, and the September dates have been agreed in order to provide the 2009 World Masters with the best possible scheduling times from BBC TV. They will also provide a longer gap between the World Masters and the BDO Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships, scheduled for nine consecutive days on BBC TV from January 2nd to 10th, 2010.

“We are delighted that the BBC are screening the 36th BDO Winmau World Masters on a weekend that will provide us with the optimum amount of airtime on both the Saturday and Sunday”, says Olly Croft, Managing Director of BDO Enterprises Ltd.

“The Masters always enjoys excellent TV audiences. Last year it attracted an average audience of 1 million on the Saturday with a peak of 1.5m. On Sunday the average was 1.2m with a peak of 1.8m for the final.

“We will be looking to build on those figures this year and, with the World Master (or standby player) gaining entry to the 2010 World Pro, there is an important and solid link between the BDO’s two top BBC televised majors.”

Staged and promoted by the British Darts Organisation, the Winmau World Masters have been played in Bridlington since 2002 and will be returning to The Spa for the second year since its £20 million re-development.

“We now regard Bridlington as the true home of the World Masters”, says Ian Flack, Sales & Marketing Director of Winmau. “The Spa is a wonderful venue and the support of East Riding of Yorkshire Council has played a major part in their success.

“I am also delighted to confirm that we have signed a 3-year contract with John Smith’s to continue as our associate sponsors.”

Gareth Turner, Senior Brand Manager, Ale, Scottish & Newcastle UK says: “John Smith’s are delighted to have agreed the new three-year contract with Winmau to continue as associate sponsors of the World Masters. This is a perfect fit in our darts portfolio, which includes our valued involvement with Bob Potter and the Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships.

“We are also fully committed to promoting darts in pubs and clubs across the country through the John Smith’s People’s Darts initiative. In January this produced our first ever John Smith’s People’s Darts Champion, Tim ‘Teapot’ Jones, who will be competing in the 2009 World Masters as a sponsors invite.

“We are delighted that they all combine to strengthen our relationship with the sport of darts and the British Darts Organisation.”

Alan Menzies – Director of Planning and Economic Regeneration for East Riding of Yorkshire Council says: “East Riding of Yorkshire Council and East Yorkshire Events are extremely pleased that the BBC has once again agreed to screen the 2009 Winmau World Masters from The Spa, Bridlington. We believe the new September dates will allow us to showcase this amazing event to an even wider audience than ever before.

“We are also excited to announce a new five year sponsorship deal with Winmau to keep the World Masters at its true spiritual home of The Spa, Bridlington.
“This continues East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s commitment of bringing top class events to the area and further enhances East Yorkshire Events’ reputation at the forefront of event delivery.

The BDO Winmau World Masters is a true World Championship with players from seventy countries being invited, including singles darts champions from over 140 national and international events worldwide.

Approximately 400 players will converge on Bridlington for this year’s World Masters, which will mark the 36th anniversary of the oldest established major in world darts (1974-2009).

The World Masters are the only major Championships in darts with four separate finals – Men, Women, Boys and Girls.

FOR SEEDING AND DRAW PURPOSES, THE CLOSING DATE FOR ALL ENTRIES IS: FRIDAY, JULY 31ST, 2009

2008 WINMAU WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONS:

MEN’S MASTER MARTIN ADAMS (ENG)
WOMEN’S MASTER FRANCIS HOENSELAAR (NETH)
BOY’S MASTER SHAUN GRIFFITHS (ENG)
GIRL’S MASTER LINDA ODEN (SWE)

2008 WINMAU WORLD MASTERS STATISTICS

The high standard of play in the 2008 Winmau Men’s World Masters was epitomised by Martin Adams, who on his way to being crowned 2008 Winmau Men’s Master, recorded a single dart average of 35.26 in his Sem-Final with Tony O’Shea.

Tony recorded a 33.89 single dart average and lost!

Martin also hit eleven 100+ checkouts, including the highest of the tournament which won him an additional £1,000 to add to his £25,000 World Masters winning cheque. He hit the most 180’s – 18 in total – closely followed by Tony O’Shea with 15 maximums.

The overall single dart tournament average for the stage matches in the 2008 Men’s World Masters was an outstanding 31.13.

The 2008 WINMAU WORLD MASTERS enjoyed an average BBC TV audience of 1 million on Saturday, December 6th (11.3% share) with a peak of 1.5m (12.5%).

On Sunday, December 7th the average was 1.2m (9.0% share) with a peak of 1.8m (10.3%) for the final.

WOLFIE IS WORLD MASTER

England’s Martin Adams beat Scott Waites 7-6 in a thrilling final to claim the Winmau World Masters..

Adams, who lost to Michael van Gerwen in the 2006 final, missed three darts for the match but eventually hit double 16 to claim the title.

There was never more than a set between the players and it needed two extra legs in the final set to split them.

But the 2007 BDO world champion Adams, 52, held his nerve to collect a winner’s cheque for £25,000.

The number three seed, who averaged more than 105 to beat Tony O’Shea in the semi-finals, was never behind after the third set, but nor did he look certain of victory.

After the first two sets went with the darts, Waites – who beat Robert Wagner in his semi-final, broke the throw in the third set – hitting a 127 out-shot in the process.

But he failed to take full advantage, failing to get down from 58 with three darts in the decisive leg of the fifth set, allowing Adams to level.

The pair continued to trade sets and out-shots, Adams hitting a 160 to claim a £1,000 prize for the highest checkout and, more importantly, the seventh set.

Adams missed the bull when going for a 121 out-shot in the next set allowing Waites to level yet again as the match headed, seemingly inexorably, towards a decider.

Waites though was always under the pressure of throwing to remain level and at 6-5 down must have feared the worst as Adams put in a strong set to close on the title.

However, with the title just 20 points away and with three darts in his hand Adams threw a loose dart into the double 15 bed to bust and give Waites the chance to level again. Nervelessly he hit 96 to level the set and the same finish in the next leg to win it.

The final set reached 1-1 in legs after Adams missed a 118 out-shot, forcing decider legs with one player having to be two legs clear.

And this time Adams’ nerve held as he held his own leg and then hit the double to win the title.

Quarters and Semi Finals

Martin Adams was the highest seed left standing as BDO world champion Mark Webster and number one seed Gary Anderson both crashed out of the Winmau World Masters at the last-16 stage.

Wales’s Webster lost 3-1 to Scottish qualifier Ross Montgomery, while Anderson was beaten 3-1 by Norway’s Robert Wagner.

Montgomery’s joy was short-lived though as he lost his quarter-final 3-1 to Tony O’Shea, who had earlier defeated Ted Hankey 3-1 in the last 16. O’Shea will meet Adams in the semi final on Sunday.

‘Wolfie’ came from 2-0 down in the last 16 to sneak past Martin Atkins who missed doubles to let him in. Adams then found an easier passage past Steve Farmer, winning 3-0 to make it through to the semis and a clash with ‘Silverback’.

Scott Waites also progressed to complete the semi-final line up. Waites beat Cor Ernst 3-1 in the last 16 before getting past Steve West by the same score in the quarter final.

He will meet Wagner in the semi final and will have his work cut out. The Norwegian averaged over 100 in his demolition of Joey ten Berge in the quarter final and is looking in good form.

Ladies Competition

Last 16 – Anastasia Dobromyslova 4-0 Dee Bateman
Last 16 – Louise Carroll 4-3 Rhian Edwards
Last 16 – Karin Krappen 2-4 Irina Armstrong
Last 16 – Julie Gore 4-2 Viv Dundon
Last 16 – Francisca Hoenselaar 4-0 Karen Littler
Last 16 – Carla Molema 3-4 Tricia Wright
Last 16 – Lisa Ashton 4-0 Anne Kirk
Last 16 – Cathy Shaw 4-3 Marika Juhola
Quarter Final – Anastasia Dobromyslova 4-0 Louise Carroll
Quarter Final – Irina Armstrong 0-4 Julie Gore
Quarter Final – Francisca Hoenselaar 4-1 Tricia Wright
Quarter Final – Lisa Ashton 4-3 Cathy Shaw
Semi Final – Anastasia Dobromyslova 0-0 Julie Gore
Semi Final – Francisca Hoenselaar 0-0 Lisa Ashton

Boys Competition

Quarter Final – Jamie Lewis 4-2 Jeffrey Stigter
Quarter Final – Tuomas Tikka 4-2 Boyd Meijer
Quarter Final – Oscar Delgado 1-4 Shaun Griffiths
Quarter Final – Daniel van Mourik 4-1 Santino Broer
Semi Final – Jamie Lewis 4-2 Tuomas Tikka
Semi Final – Shaun Griffiths 4-1 Daniel van Mourik
Final – Jamie Lewis 2-4 Shaun Griffiths

Girls Competition

Quarter Final – Linda Oden 4-1 Emily Davidson
Quarter Final – Michelle Cruickshanks 4-0 Thea Kaaijk
Quarter Final – Joanne Ashby 1-4 Lynn Poolen
Quarter Final – Dana Verhaegen 0-4 Aliisa Koskivirta
Semi Final – Linda Oden 4-1 Michelle Cruickshanks
Semi Final – Lynn Poolen 4-0 Aliisa Koskivirta
Final – Linda Oden 4-0 Lynn Poolen

The event will be played at “The Spa” Bridlington, Yorkshire on 5th – 7th December.

The closing stages will be featured live on BBC Television on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th december.

Men Gr. 1-4
Men Gr. 5-8
Men Gr. 9-12
Men Gr. 13-16
Men Finals

Women Groups 1-4
Women Groups 5-8

Boys All Groups
Girls All Groups

The above draw could be subject to change in the case of late withdrawals.

ALPHABETICAL LISTS OF PARTICIPANTS

SEEDS MEN WOMEN BOYS GIRLS

The Spa, Bridlington: December 5th to 7th, 2008

The eight men’s seeds who will compete in the BBC televised stages of the 2008 Winmau World Masters at The Spa, Bridlington over the weekend of Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th are:

1 GARY ANDERSON (SCOT)
2 MARK WEBSTER (WALES)
3 MARTIN ADAMS (ENG)
4 SCOTT WAITES (ENG)
5 DARRYL FITTON (ENG)
6 GARY ROBSON (ENG)
7 TED HANKEY (ENG)
8 EDWIN MAX (NETH)

The Winmau World Masters is a true World Championship with Champions from over 140 National and International Singles events worldwide being invited to compete. Approximately 300 players from thirty-five countries will be at The Spa, Bridlington for this year’s World Masters.

It is the only major Championship in world darts with four separate finals – Men, Women, Boys and Girls – and attracts thousands of darts players, officials and supporters from right around the globe to Bridlington each year.

BBC Television coverage of the final stages of the Men’s World Masters will be live on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th for a total of seven and a half hours.

The BBC TV schedule (subject to change) is:

Saturday, December 6th Live on BBC-1: 1PM to 4.30PM
Sunday, December 7th Live on BBC-2: 1.30PM to 5.30PM

PLAYING SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5TH

9AM DOORS OPEN
11AM TOE-THE-OCHE: Players from over thirty countries play on a multi-board system to qualify for the stage matches to be played on Saturday and Sunday.

Non-participation spectators welcome: Admission £10

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6TH: Stage Matches

8AM DOORS OPEN
9AM GIRLS FINAL (BEST OF 5 LEGS) + PRESENTATION
9.30AM BOYS FINAL (BEST OF 5 LEGS) + PRESENTATION
10.30AM-1.30PM MEN’S LAST 16 (BEST OF 5 SETS)
2PM: INTERVAL
2.20-4PM MEN’S QUARTER-FINALS (BEST OF 5 SETS)
4.30PM PRESENTATION TO LOSING QUARTER-FINALISTS + CONCLUSION.

Non-participation spectators welcome: Admission £25

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7TH: Stage Matches

10AM DOORS OPEN
11AM &11.30AM WOMEN’S SEMI-FINALS (BEST OF 7 LEGS)
12 NOON WOMEN’S FINAL (BEST OF 7 LEGS) +PRESENTATION
1.30PM & 2.45PM MEN’S SEMI-FINALS (BEST OF 11 SETS)
4PM INTERVAL
4.10PM MEN’S FINAL (BEST OF 13 SETS) Plus tie-breaker.
5.15PM PRESENTATION
5.30PM CONCLUSION

(All times are for guidance only and the BDO reserve the right to change the schedule).

Non-participation spectators welcome: Admission £25

WEEKEND SPECTATOR PASS (FRI/SAT & SUN) £50

THE SPA BOX OFFICE: 01262-678258

PRIZE MONEY:

MEN’S MASTERS CHAMPION: £25,000
RUNNER-UP: £10,000
JOINT 3RD: £3,000 x 2
JOINT 5TH: £1,250 x 4
JOINT 9TH: £500 x 8

TOTAL MEN’S PRIZE MONEY: £50,000

WOMEN’S MASTERS CHAMPION: £5,000
RUNNER-UP: £1,500
JOINT 3RD: £750 x 2
JOINT 5TH: £500 x 4

TOTAL WOMEN’S PRIZE MONEY: £10,000

WINMAU Highest Checkout Award Men & Women: £1,000

PRIZE MONEY GRAND TOTAL: £61,000

PLUS a BDO Achievement Award for Televised 9-Dart 501: £2,000

The International Play-Offs for the 2009 BDO Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships will take place on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 2008. Doors will open at 10AM and play starts at 12 NOON.

THE BRITISH DARTS ORGANISATION is delighted to announce that the World Finals of the 2008 Winmau World Masters will return to The Spa, Bridlington from Friday December 5th to Sunday, December 7th.

The Stage Finals of the Men’s World Masters will be screened live and exclusively by BBC TV on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th.

Following a multi-million pound redevelopment, The Spa is the perfect host venue for the 35th World Masters to celebrate both the 35th Anniversary of the oldest established major tournament in World darts, and the 35th Anniversary of the British Darts Organisation.

More details will be announced later.

Prize money for the 2007 WINMAU WORLD MASTERS is being increased and there will be more live TV coverage than ever before on BBC-1 and BBC-2 over the weekend of November 17th and 18th.

Returning to Leisure World, Bridlington, East Yorkshire from Friday, November 16th to Sunday, November 18th, the World Masters is a true World Championship with players from 69 countries being invited, including darts champions from over 140 national and international events worldwide.

“The increase in prize money reflects our ongoing commitment to the World Masters, as does the increased live coverage from BBC TV”, says Ian Flack, Sales & Marketing Director of the Winmau Dartboard Company.

“Approximately 300 players from over thirty countries will be in Bridlington for this year’s World Masters and, after 33 consecutive years, we are proud that as the oldest established major in world darts (1974-2007) it remains truly worldwide in appeal and enjoys a huge slice of darts history.

“Indeed, Winmau is delighted that not only does the World Masters have so much history and kudos within the global sport of darts, but the Masters title is also coveted by darts players worldwide.”

The only major in world darts with four separate finals – Men, Women, Boys and Girls – the Winmau World Masters attracts thousands of darts players, officials and supporters from right around the globe to Bridlington.

With the multi-million pounds refurbishment of The Spa still not completed, the 2007 World Masters will once again be played at Leisure World, Bridlington. The dates are November 16th to 18th, with BBC Television coverage of the final stages of the Men’s World Masters live on BBC-1 on Saturday, November 17 and live on BBC-2 on Sunday, November 18.

Details of the 2007 prize fund and the full schedule for the 2007 Winmau World Masters will be announced later in the year.