Damon Heta dispatches Michael van Gerwen at the Winmau World Masters as Gary Anderson edges through
Damon Heta dumped out a misfiring Michael van Gerwen on the opening night of the 2026 Winmau World Masters in Milton Keynes on Thursday.
An eventful start to the season’s first televised ranking event saw Heta punish a dismal display of doubling from Van Gerwen to seal a 3-1 victory at Arena MK.
The Australian number one landed a terrific 124 checkout to clinch the first set, and despite levelling the contest, Van Gerwen wasted numerous chances on the outer ring as Heta regained the lead before landing a 101 checkout to close out victory.
“It was special that I got the win, it didn’t matter who I played,” admitted Heta, who converted 63% of his double attempts.
“Me and Michael have had a few battles over the years, but to get a win over him is defiantly a feather in the cap.
“At the end of the day, you have to take your chances. I missed a few but I took a few, so happy days!”
Gerwyn Price produced the standout performance of the evening, averaging 108.5 in a straight sets drubbing of James Hurrell.
The former World Champion took the opening set with a 13-darter and fired in four 180s to win six of the eight legs available to cap off a dominant display.
“I think I was a little bit ruthless in that game,” said Price, who has not progressed past the Last 16 of The Masters since 2022.
“It’s a cut-throat format, I think he had a shot at double to win the first set. You have to be more concentrated in every leg.
“I had to perform well as James played fantastic. If I had one or two slip-ups it would have been a completely different game, but thankfully I was up for it.”
Price’s Welsh World Cup team-mate Jonny Clayton also made a winning return to Arena MK, dispatching qualifier Wessel Nijman 3-1.
The 2021 Masters champion and runner-up last year dropped the opening set despite producing a stunning 161 checkout, but hit back to clinch out six of the next eight legs to prevail.
Nathan Aspinall recovered from a set down to see off debutant qualifier Shane McGuirk, defying a 141 checkout from the former WDF World Champion in set one by reeling off six legs on the spin for a place in Round Two.
Reigning European Champion Gian van Veen claimed victory in his maiden appearance at the World Masters, recovering from a set behind to defeat Ryan Joyce 3-1.
James Wade averaged 102.5 in a high quality deciding-set success over Madars Razma, winning eight of the 12 legs played and landing four maximums as well as a 124 checkout along the way.
Recent World Championship semi-finalist Gary Anderson recorded a 101 average to battle past a resilient Niels Zonneveld in a last-set decider and set up a showdown with Wade in the Last 16 on Saturday.
2023 Masters champion Chris Dobey breezed to a straight sets victory over Jermaine Wattimena thanks to a clinical display which saw him average 99.3 and convert six from 11 on the doubles
Winmau World Masters 2026 Day One Results
Thursday January 29
First Round
Chris Dobey 3-0 Jermaine Wattimena
Gary Anderson 3-2 Niels Zonneveld
James Wade 3-2 Madars Razma
Nathan Aspinall 3-1 Shane McGuirk
Jonny Clayton 3-1 Wessel Nijman
Gerwyn Price 3-0 James Hurrell
Michael van Gerwen 1-3 Damon Heta
Gian van Veen 3-1 Ryan Joyce
