Rob Cross claims 2025 Dutch Darts Masters crown

Rob Cross claimed his fifth World Series title at the 2025 Dutch Darts Masters courtesy of an 8-5 win over Stephen Bunting in the final in Den Bosch.

Having suffered a disappointing Last 64 exit at the World Championship and a First Round defeat at the Bahrain Masters, Cross bounced back in clinical fashion by clinching the £30,000 top prize at De Maaspoort.

The 2018 World Champion becomes the fifth player to win five World Series titles, having produced a series of superb displays on Saturday

Cross followed Friday’s First Round victory over Richard Veenstra with a 6-3 quarter-final success over Jermaine Wattimena which saw him convert six doubles from eight attempts.

Cross then averaged 100 and landed a high checkout of 121 in a dominant 7-3 win over Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals.

He then denied Bunting back-to-back World Series titles by seeing off last week’s Bahrain Masters champion with a 101.8 average and an impressive 8/15 on the doubles.

“It’s amazing to come here and win – it’s special for me,” said Cross.

“I think it’s about time I won in the Netherlands and I’m very grateful – the crowd were brilliant. The determination and focus I had today dragged me through.

“Stephen is a great man and he’s a credit to the sport. He’s done all the work today, got there and probably ran out of steam.

“To come here and win this one means so much. It’s been a great weekend and I’ve really enjoyed it, and I love the World Series.”

Cross started the final strongly, leading 2-0 and adding 13-darters to move 3-1 and 5-2 ahead, only for legs of 14, 12 and 12 darts helping Bunting to draw level – as he took out 62, 94 and 130.

Cross, however, responded well to regain the lead on double 18, before a brace of double eight finishes sealed glory and a first World Series title in Europe.

Bunting overcame two former World Champions on his way to a second successive World Series final, but saw his winning run end at seven matches.

The Masters champion produced a 13-darter in the deciding leg to edge out home hero Raymond van Barneveld in the quarter-finals, before an 81 checkout for an 11-darter saw off Luke Littler 7-6 in a tight semi-final tie which saw the reigning World Champion average 107.6.

“To reach two finals back-to-back is amazing for me and it was a great final,” said Bunting. “Rob played a really good game and had me under pressure from the start.

“If you’d said to me at the start of the tournament that I was going to be in the final I’d have taken it. Credit goes to Rob. I’ll dust myself down and get ready for Milton Keynes next week.

“I’m playing the best darts of my life, and with the fanbase I’ve got, the social media; everything around me is in a great place and I can’t wait to continue the form in the World Masters.”

Littler had ended Michael van Gerwen’s title defence with a 6-3 victory in the quarter-finals, landing seven 180s in the process.

However, the 18-year-old was unable to claim a place in a second successive Dutch Masters final when Bunting left him stranded on 130 after nine darts in the deciding leg.

All four remaining Dutchman bowed out in the quarter-finals, with Price overturning a 3-1 deficit and producing a sensational 145 checkout to snatch a 6-5 victory over Kevin Doets.

Dutch Darts Masters 2025 Day Two Results

Saturday January 25

Quarter-Finals
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Raymond van Barneveld
Luke Littler 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Kevin Doets
Jermaine Wattimena 3-6 Rob Cross

Semi-Finals
Stephen Bunting 7-6 Luke Littler
Rob Cross 7-3 Gerwyn Price

Final
Rob Cross 8-5 Stephen Bunting