The opening night of the US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden delivered stunning upsets as defending champion Rob Cross and top seed Stephen Bunting both crashed out to American opponents.
Cross suffered a humiliating 6-0 whitewash at the hands of Danny Lauby, whilst Bunting fell 6-4 to qualifier Jason Brandon in front of an electric New York crowd.
The shock defeats marked a triumphant evening for the home players, with both Americans securing the biggest victories of their careers.
In contrast, England's world champion Luke Littler and world number one Luke Humphries successfully navigated their first-round matches to reach the quarter-finals.
Luke Humphries had to battle for victory in a 6-4 win over Stowe Buntz after going 4-3 down
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Lauby's dominant performance saw him average 94 and seal victory with an 11-dart leg, having earlier landed a 118 checkout.
The American, who had lost in the first round in his three previous US Darts Masters appearances, was elated with his performance.
"That was amazing," said Lauby. "Every win is difficult; I've not had a whole lot of stage experience this year so there's nothing but positives.
"I know how good Rob is and he didn't play to his standard and I was fortunate enough to take advantage."
Brandon averaged 97 in his victory over Bunting, overcoming the Englishman's impressive 170 checkout.
The American had traded plans to celebrate his wedding anniversary in the Turks & Caicos Islands after qualifying for the event.
"That's my biggest win - I'm struggling to find the words," said Brandon.
"My goal was to come up here and get a little bit of redemption for two years ago."
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TOPS-TOPS-TOPS TO WIN IT!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 28, 2025
Luke Littler produces some exhibition style darts to win the match, as he pins three tops to beat Jules van Dongen 6-1!
📺 https://t.co/r1cpI9mjFb#USDartsMasters25 pic.twitter.com/KSteR89kMz
Littler delighted the Theater at Madison Square Garden crowd with a 6-1 victory over Jules van Dongen, closing out with a spectacular 120 checkout of three double 20s. The world champion will face Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals.
Humphries mounted a comeback from 4-3 down against Stowe Buntz to win 6-4, avoiding a third American triumph on the night.
The world number one will meet Lauby in Saturday evening's quarter-finals, which begin at 00:30 UK time.
Other first-round results saw Nathan Aspinall defeat Matt Campbell 6-2 with a 105 average and eight 180s, whilst Gerwyn Price averaged 102.47 in his 6-2 victory over Adam Sevada.
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LAUBY WHITEWASHES CROSS!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 28, 2025
Danny Lauby gives us our first upset of the weekend, as he win his first ever match in the US Darts Masters with a fabulous 11-darter to seal the whitewash victory over Rob Cross!
📺 https://t.co/r1cpI9mRuJ #USDartsMasters25 pic.twitter.com/uq0kxQB8S3
Michael van Gerwen dispatched Leonard Gates 6-1, setting up a quarter-final clash with Price.
Damon Heta overcame Jim Long 6-1 and will face Brandon in the last eight.
The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will all take place on Saturday evening, with matches played as best of 11, 13 and 15 legs respectively.
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