May 20, 2006
\nColumn 254
\nThe PDC — 15; America — 1<\/b><\/p>\n
This World Series of Darts (WSOD) report is coming to you in real time (hence the typos) from the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) press room somewhere inside the sprawling Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino. All is wonderful as I sit here with Dave Allen, the PDC\u2019s Media Officer. He\u2019s eating something from Starbucks and I\u2019m polishing off my second cheeseburger from Johnny Rockets. I promised my wife I would eat well!<\/p>\n
We\u2019re keeping tabs on the action while watching a television monitor with no sound. Apparently the Mohegan Tribe didn\u2019t pay all its taxes. Either that or Tommy Cox better find the damn switch soon!<\/p>\n
Colin Lloyd has just appeared on screen with a beautiful girl, walking through the crowd. Now here\u2019s Isen Veljic, also with a girl. She\u2019s dressed in a green ball gown. She doesn\u2019t look happy. I don\u2019t know why. Note to myself: talk to Veljic about this. The crowd\u2019s yelling and waving little American flags as Veljic takes the first leg. Lloyd evens it and quickly takes it to 3-1. It\u2019s now 4-1 to Lloyd after \u201cE\u201d misses d16 \u2013 Lloyd closes d18. Tension on Veljic\u2019s face. E misses d8 to have a shot to take a second leg but is off by a half an inch. Lloyd closes d4. E throws strong and brings it to 4-2 \u2013 after having shots in the previous two legs at the double \u2013 which would have him ahead 4-2. Match to Lloyd 6-2 with a tops close. Score line: the PDC \u2013 1; America \u2013 0.<\/p>\n
Now Adrian Lewis and Jimmy Widmayer are appearing on my television monitor. Still there is now sound. There are no girls for this walk on either. Shame. Lewis jumps ahead quickly 1-0 after Jimmy fails to close 63, wiring the d8. Lewis goes ahead 2-0. Lewis looks determine. Beads of sweat are forming on his brow. A frown has begun to cross Widmayer\u2019s face. Lewis goes up 3-0. Lewis goes up 4-0. Lewis goes up 5-0. Match to Lewis in a whitewash. Widmayer was just a wire off his game. The score belies the darts he threw. Score line: the PDC \u2013 2; America \u2013 0.<\/p>\n
Ah, now appearing are Andy \u201cRocky\u201d Jenkins and Tom \u201cTop Cat\u201d Curtin. Curtin\u2019s decked out in a fancy bright blue shirt. Jenkins strikes 140 to start, while Curtin wrestles with his nerves and Jenkins closes d10 to jump ahead, with Curtin looking at 246. Jenkins closes 64 with Curtin looking at 181 to take the match to 2-0 \u2013 and Jenkins pounds in 180 to start the third leg and streaks to the double, leaving Curtin on 380. Jenkins throws another maximum in the fourth leg, followed by 140, just wires a 121 finish \u2013 leaving Curtin the opening he\u2019s been waiting for and Top Cat cleans up 95 to finally pick up a leg against the number eight ranked player in the world. Curtin has another look at 95 in the fifth leg but wires the third dart and Jenkins take the match to 4-1. Jenkins moves ahead 5-1. Jenkins wins 6-0. Score line: the PDC \u2013 3; America \u2013 0.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the bearded Denis \u201cthe Heat\u201d Ovens and Philadelphia\u2019s Bill Davis walking onto the stage for the fourth match of the morning. Davis, who booked his spot late last night at Friday Night Madness, is beaming with pride in his bright red shirt \u2013 as he should be. This man has owned darts in the City of Brotherly Love for a Decade. Ovens starts with 140 and Davis follows with a ton \u2013 but they don\u2019t call Oven\u2019s \u201cthe Heat\u201d for nothing and, despite continued strong scoring by Davis, Ovens holds his throw to go up 1-0, closing 64. Davis misses a bull finish to clean up 113 but Ovens is still on 178 and can\u2019t finish. Davis cleans up 25 to hold his throw and even the match and bring the American flag-waving crowd to its feet. But just as quickly the crowd is subdued as Ovens turns on the heat, leaving Davis on 255, to go ahead 2-1. Davis strikes back with a 140 start and sees a deflection cost him a maximum with his second handful, BUT he throws in 140 with his third set. Davis misses a shot at an eleven darter, then misses again, and again, and again and yet again! Ovens struggles with the double as well but finally steals the leg, moving up 3-1 when a 2-all match was securely in the bag for Davis. In the fifth leg both darts score 180s but Davis ends up short and Ovens strokes to a comfortable 4-1 advantage. Davis cleans up 68 to inch back into the match, taking the sixth leg, and brings the score to 4-2. Ovens keeps the heat on, takes the next leg and moves up 5-2. Never-say-die Davis (who came from behind a 3-0 deficit to outlast Darin Young last night) brings the match to 5-3, closing 48 with Ovens looking at 80 \u2013 and then, with nerves seeming of steel, takes the ninth leg to bring the match to 5-4. But in the end Davis didn\u2019t despite fighting the good fight \u2013 the best fight any of the Americans has put up so far in the competition \u2013 Davis didn\u2019t have quite what was needed, as Ovens stuck his final dart into the d20 to take the match 6-4. The score line: the PDC \u2013 4; America \u2013 0.<\/p>\n
Next up is one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament so far \u2013 with Ray the Razor\u201d Carver to face world-ranked number five, Peter \u201cOne Dart\u201d Manley. The good news is that the girls are back for the walk-on. Manley looks pleased with his, a blond. Carver looks mighty pleased with his too, another blond in a sparkly low-cut dress. Both women look bored however. They also look familiar. I think they are the same girls that were with Lloyd and Veljic. It seems they get around. I turn around to talk to good old Dave Allen here in the press room and when I turn back to the monitor Manley has suddenly jumped into a 2-0 lead \u2013 and then closes 116 for a twelve-darter to move up 3-0. The cameras pan the crowd and the faces are long and drawn, worried. Carver is one of the American\u2019s great hopes and he\u2019s in the fight of his life. BUT suddenly there\u2019s a spark. Carver just misses 180, closes d4 and picks up his first leg. Then just as suddenly again Carver knocks down a d1 (yes d1!!!) to scratch closer yet, bringing the score to 3-2. Ah, but now it is 4-2 to Manley after a tops close. Ah but NOW Carver is back again, closing 86 (t18, d16) to pull back within one, 4-3 \u2013 and Razor has the throw. You can feel the momentum shifting. The crowd is coming back to life. But Carver has just thrown a 22. Manley score big and leave 83. Carver is on 78. But Manley finds the double first to break Carver\u2019s throw and move ahead in the match 5-3. The crowd has grown quiet again. Manley is looking at 87 for the match with Carver on 136 and Manley cleans it up. Carver put on a good show for himself. It just wasn\u2019t his day. Score line: the PDC \u2013 5; America \u2013 0.<\/p>\n
Now up is Jeff \u201cthe Big Guy\u201d Russell and Mark Walsh. Russell was on my board last night at Friday Night Madness so I am routing for him to show the stuff he displayed last night and that nearly took him to victory three times during the course of the regional WSOD qualifiers. If Russell is on his game it\u2019s lights-out for Walsh (who incidentally, put my lights out last year at the Las Vegas Desert Classic IV). Nature calls though, even when world-class darts is center, and when I return Russell is looking down the barrel of a 4-0 deficit. He takes leg five however to bring the score slowly back into reason at 4-1 and then cleans up 54 with a messy 11, t3, d17 \u2013 but scrapes back to within two nonetheless. With the score 4-2 and the throw Russell strikes a ton, 140, and another 140 to leave 121 and powers ahead of Walsh in the seventh leg \u2013 and then cleans up 20 to pull within one, 4-3. Just a wire separated Russell from a 116 finish in the next leg but the miss was costly, with Walsh sticking the d5 to move ahead 5-3. Russell then brings the crowd to its feet, brandishing sticks with cardboard images of his head, with a 48-close to pull with in one at 5-4. But then, sadly it is heartbreak. Russell has the crowd going wild, setting up a tops close with a 132, with Walsh looking at 115 \u2013 BUT Walsh digs deep and finds the darts, closing 115 to take the match 6-4. Score line: the PDC \u2013 6; America \u2013 0.<\/p>\n
Now its good old boy Roger Carter, probably the most experienced of the Americans, walking to the stage with Dutchman Roland \u201cTripod\u201d Scholten, ranked number four in the world. Scholten is scoring heavy, as usual. He\u2019s moved quickly into a 4-1 advantage \u2013 with Carter only managing a leg so far. Amazingly, particularly for Scholten, through five legs he\u2019s throwing 100% on his out shots. Now it\u2019s 5-1 to Scholten. The crowd is quiet. Scholten throws 65, Carter throws 81 and follows with two 140s and Scholten throws one of his own. Scholten is looking at 141; Carter at 46. Scholten leaves 60. Carter misses tops. And Scholten cleans up the 60 takes the match 6-1 with relative ease. Always the gentleman, Carter moves in quickly with a handshake and a smile to congratulate the number four ranked darter in the world to the enthusiastic applause of the fans. Score line: the PDC \u2013 7; America \u2013 0.<\/p>\n
At the line now are \u201cBazooka\u201d Joe Efter and the legendary Dennis \u201cthe Menace\u201d Priestley. Efter told me last night that he had nothing to lose and absolutely everything to gain \u2013 and a million dollars didn\u2019t figure one iota into his thinking about the possibilities. He is here for the love of the game and to do his best, nothing more and nothing less. Frankly, it\u2019s a tough match to watch \u2013 both shooters are more than just methodical. Between handfuls the television cameras pan the crowd. There\u2019s Johnny Kuczynski (due to face Canadian John Part in just about an hour) and Ray Carver watching the action. Kuzcynski gives the camera a wink and mouths a confident \u201cYeah baby.\u201d Back to the board, Efter is down 4-0 and averaging 74.29 per handful. Priestley is averaging just under 90 and seems to have the match well in hand. Priestley takes the fifth leg, Efter squeaks out the sixth closing 60, and Priestly then finishes Bazooka Joe off to end the affair 6-1. Score line: the PDC \u2013 8; America \u2013 0.<\/p>\n
NOW, the crowd has come back to life. On stage are thirteen time world champion Phil \u201cThe Power\u201d Taylor and Tim O\u2019Gorman, the New York detective who qualified last night to earn the chance to slay the giant. The blonds have returned too! I wonder where they go to change between matches? Taylor takes the first leg (missing d8 for a 126 close) and then follows with 140, 180, 165 to set up a ten-darter in the second leg but took two darts to close in eleven. BUT THEN, O\u2019Gorman finds the double first to inch back into the match, 2-1. He\u2019s big scoring big, just not big enough to live with The Power. Taylor wastes no time setting the score however, taking the fourth leg \u2013 although O\u2019Gorman had a shot at 76 to even the match. Miss a double against Phil Taylor and you pay immediately. Taylor easily notches up the fifth leg for a 4-1 advantage. O\u2019Gorman hangs tough though and just as easily takes the next leg, closing 80, to bring the match to 4-2. Taylor steams right back though and finishes O\u2019Gorman off in the next two legs. Score line: the PDC \u2013 9; America \u2013 0.<\/p>\n
Ledbury\u2019s Terry \u201cTucker\u201d Jenkins is on the stage now to face New York\u2019s Tim Grossman. Grossman fought his way through a huge 259-man field at the Windsor Locks regional qualifier, defeating Dave \u201cNew Wave\u201d Marienthal to earn his spot on the Mohegan stage. The atmosphere among the American crown in the hall is optimistic, despite the results so far, that Grossman can produce the goods to take out the number 15 ranked darter in the world. Despite taking the lead 1-0 (the only American so far to actually be ahead in a match, except for Isen Veljic, who was briefly up 1-0 over Colin Lloyd) and steady darts Grossman quickly finds himself down 3-1. Had fate been just slightly more favorable he\u2019d be even up with his opponent instead. Like so many of the Americans this afternoon, missed doubles and unfortunate deflections have cost him big.<\/p>\n
Still, Grossman continues to throw strong. He\u2019s picked up the fifth leg to bring the core to 3-2 and is looking at tops to even the match at 3-3. Grossman\u2019s dart lands high and Jenkins closes tops himself to move ahead 4-2. Somehow both players find themselves on d1 in the seventh leg and after half a dozen darts each, Grossman finds the mark to move within one of Jenkins at 4-3. The crowd is on the edge of their seats. The American flags are in the air again, after a long rest. Jenkins has now wrapped up the eighth leg to move within one of victory, 5-3 and subduing the crowd just a bit. Grossman required 91 to stay in the contest. Jenkins has twenty remaining. Grossman CLOSES d4 to bring the match to 5-4 and the crowd back to its feet! Jenkins has the throw, making the challenge all the greater for Grossman and Jenkins doesn\u2019t give way closing 40 and leaving Grossman sitting on 245. Probably the best match of the day so far, Grossman put up one hell of a fight. Score line: the PDC \u2013 10; America \u2013 0.<\/p>\n
The players are approaching the stage again. I hope the girls are with them. This is getting tough to watch. Nope, no girls \u2013 just Kevin \u201cthe Artist\u201d Painter (world ranked number seven) and Jim Watkins, winner of the Philadelphia regional qualifier. Painter looks serious. Watkins seems to be jerking his darts \u2013 nothing, at least early on, is smooth about his release. But his shirt looks great \u2013 rich black fabric with bright red lettering. Watkins is loosening up and has just missed 116-out, leaving Painter a chance to close first, which he does to go up 1-0. Painter is now ahead 2-0 and frustration is noticeable on Watkins\u2019 face, BUT he has just closed tops to get back in the match at 2-1. But Painter strikes back and moves up 3-1. Then Watkins strikes back at Painter and makes it 3-2. Then Painter comes back, after Watkins wires d14, to move ahead 4-2. Watkins, one of America\u2019s true veterans of the sport, and who in his day would never have missed the double he just let go, can only shake his head. BUT he comes back strong and moves back to within one, making it 4-3. Painter is looking at 41; Watkins has 231 remaining and HITS A MAXIMUM to leave 51 \u2013 but Painter makes the close to move within a leg of victory at 5-3. Painter then closes d18 to finish off a stubborn Watkins and move into the next round. Quite a show from one of America\u2019s great darters from another day. Score line: the PDC \u2013 11; American \u2013 0.<\/p>\n
Now it is Mark \u201cFlash\u201d Dudbridge, world ranked number ten, moving through the crowd to the stage along with Orlando\u2019s Joe \u201cSly\u201d Slivan. Anyone who knows Slivan knows he\u2019s got the darts to take care of business. Slivan looks serious, very focused. He will have to be against an on-form Dudbridge. The first leg goes to Dudbridge, with Sly looking at 86. The second leg goes to Dudbridge, with Slivan looking at 128. Dudbridge hits 180 to set up a tops close in leg three and sticks it, leaving Slivan with 174. Slivan\u2019s look, his posture has changed. Dudbridge is on-form, thoroughly controlling the match at this juncture, and unless things change drastically and fast it\u2019s going to be near impossible for Slivan to claw his way back into contention. Slivan is now looking at 32, misses the d16, misses the d8 AND the d4 (just like I would do) and Dudbridge quickly closes 66 (t10, d18) to move ahead 4-1. The fifth leg goes to Dudbridge, literally in a flash, as he leaves Slivan looking at 211. Both darters throw 140 and follow with 60 in the sixth leg but Dudbridge throws in a 125 with his third handful while Slivan scores 85. Slivan now needs 170 to avoid the whitewash, with Dudbridge on 76 \u2013 but Slivan misses and Dudbridge is right on the mark. Match over, 6-0. Score line: the PDC \u2013 12; American \u2013 0.<\/p>\n
Next up we have a potential thriller with Wayne \u201cHawaii 501\u201d Mardle and Dave DePriest. DePriest has been practicing on a makeshift stage he created at home against tapes of Mardle\u2019s previous tournament play. Psychologically there probably isn\u2019t an American competing in the WSOD who has prepared more intensely, or at least scientifically, than DePriest. The first leg goes to Mardle \u2013 but DePriest is throwing strong, though is left with 110. The second leg also goes to Mardle (a twelve-darter) and DePriest, still right on the mark, is left with 109. In the third leg DePriest continues to throw heavy darts and finds the double first to bring the match to 2-1. DePriest EVENS IT UP AT 2-2!! The man from Michigan is throwing TERRIFIC darts at this point. But Mardle turns on the power with a 174 to set up a 32-close and then takes care of business his next trip to the line. DePriest takes a long drink from a glass of water and steady himself \u2013 he has the throw. Mardle continues to throw power, as does DePriest, but both struggle with the double in leg six but Mardle manages to stick the d1 to move ahead in the match 4-2. He then moves ahead 5-2, although DePriest continues to find the mark \u2013 Mardle\u2019s lead in legs bellies the darts DePriest is throwing (easily the strongest for the Americans on the day so far). DePriest now throws the darts need to hold back the Mardle surge and picks of the eight set, moving to within two at 5-3. Mardle however pounds in 180 to start the ninth leg, brings the score down fast, misses the bull to close 121 but leaves 25 \u2013 and cleans it up to take the match. A disappoint loss for Dave DePriest but a truly impressive effort. Score line: the PDC \u2013 13; American \u2013 0.<\/p>\n
NOW we have the match deemed to be THE match of the first round: two-time world champion John \u201cDarth Maple\u201d Part from Canada versus American\u2019s number one ranked darter for the past four years running, Johnny Kuczynski. And even better: THE GIRLS ARE BACK! Part appears thrilled to be moving to the stage, shaking hands and smiling widely, but that\u2019s his. Kuczynski is having none of it. He\u2019s dead serious, but that his way. Kuczynski takes out d17 to go up in the match 1-0. Part takes out d16 to even it up. Kuczynski opens with 140 in the third leg but a bounce out costs him with his second handful \u2013 and Part eventually sticks another d16, leaving Kuczynski looking at tops, to move up 2-1. Part has another look at d16 (from 112) in the fourth leg but wires it, letting Kuczynski back in to close 89 (t19, d16) and even the match again. Two 140s helped power Kuczynski to victory in the fifth leg and the lead again at 3-2. An 86 close (18, t18, d7) after Part just missed finishing 82, moves Kuczynski into a 4-2 lead BUT Part THEN STRIKES WITH ONE OF HIS PATENED BIG MONSTERS, a 161 this time, to pull within one at 4-3. Despite a maximum in the eight leg, Kuczynski lets it get away and Part evens the see-saw battle again at 4-4. Kuczynzki closes d20 in the next leg after Part just wires tops himself to finish 104 \u2013 so Kuczynski is now within a leg of becoming the first American to make it through to the second round. But its Part\u2019s throw. Kuczynski JUST misses a 140 finish and Part comes back with a 93 finish of his own (bull, 11, d16) to take the match into the final leg! It\u2019s Kuczynski with the advantage of the throw and he scores a 180 with his third handful. Kuczynski has 70 remaining and Part is looking at 245. It\u2019s Kuczynski\u2019s match to win or lose. Part\u2019s suddenly on 112 \u2013 he hits the t20, 20 and MISSES the d6! Kuczynski is looking at 40, wires his first dart high and then\u2026 STICKS his second dart DEAD CENTER to become the first American to move past the first round and one step closer to a million dollar payday. What a match between to great darters and two good friends. Score line: the PDC \u2013 13; America \u2013 1.<\/p>\n
Now under the lights on the television monitor (still without sound) here in the PDC press room are Ronnie \u201cthe Rocket\u201d Baxter and Brad Wethington. Wethington is another of the Americans who came so close during the regional qualifiers but earned his spot last night at Friday Night Madness. Wethington and I have spoken often this afternoon outside the player\u2019s practice room and he\u2019s as calm as I\u2019ve ever seen him, not that\u2019s he\u2019s an excitable guy in any case. Baxter jumps ahead straight away, closing 30 \u2013 but not before Wethington misses a chance at 90. Wethington calmly evens it up 1-1. Both darters struggle in the third leg and Baxter cleans up the double first but, again, not before Wethington had a shot at 44 and missed. Wethington is down 2-1 but has had the darts that could have and should have put him ahead 3-0. Baxter closes 107 in the fourth leg to move up 3-1, leaving Wethington looking at 190. Baxter is now up 4-1. Baxter is now up 5-1 \u2013 and, kindly \u2013 as it\u2019s been a long day \u2013 Denis Ovens, Colin Lloyd, Roland Scholten, Peter Manley, Andy Jenkins and Kevin Painter here in the press room are rooting Baxter on to end the misery, so they can go to dinner. Wethington is looking at 141. Baxter is sitting on 25. Wethington leaves 97. Baxter finishes the job and moves in for a handshake and a hug. It was a disappointing match for Wethington, one that but for a few better early, might have ended differently. Score line: the PDC \u2013 14; America \u2013 1.<\/p>\n
Finally, we have reached the final match of the first round of the first World Series of Darts. Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee\u2019s own Joe Chaney (the man who knocked out Darin Young in the finals of the Washington, D.C. regional qualifier) is about to duke it out with the fourteenth- ranked darter in the world, Alan \u201cthe Iceman\u201d Warriner-Little. Unfortunately the recap of this match can be short. There\u2019s just no other way to describe Warriner\u2019s manhandling of Cheney. The Iceman blasted to a 6-0 whitewash leaving Cheney just one look at an out. Case closed. Cheney will certainly be back. You don\u2019t beat Darin Young and get to the stage of the World Series and let a one whoopin\u2019 hold you back from kickin\u2019 ass another day.<\/p>\n
Score line: the PDC \u2013 15; America \u2013 1.<\/p>\n
Next up: round two. One American\u2019s hopes for one million clams REMAINS ALIVE. That\u2019s Johnny \u201cSpecial K\u201d Kuczynski.<\/p>\n
Due to the length it time to complete today\u2019s first round only the first four matches of the second round will be played this evening. This means Kuczynski will step back to the oche until tomorrow.<\/p>\n
His opponent: Wayne Mardle.<\/p>\n
What a match it will be!<\/p>\n
From the Field,<\/p>\n
Dartoid<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This World Series of Darts (WSOD) report is coming to you in real time (hence the typos) from the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) press room somewhere inside the sprawling Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino. All is wonderful as I sit here with Dave Allen, the PDC\u2019s Media Officer. He\u2019s eating something from Starbucks and I\u2019m polishing off my second cheeseburger from Johnny Rockets. I promised my wife I would eat well!<\/p>\n
We\u2019re keeping tabs on the action while watching a television monitor with no sound. Apparently the Mohegan Tribe didn\u2019t pay all its taxes. Either that or Tommy Cox better find the damn switch soon!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Column #254 The PDC -- 15; America -- 1","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[15],"class_list":["post-7084","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dartoid"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"views":2590,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false,"rpwe-thumbnail":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Dartoid","author_link":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/author\/dartoid\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"This World Series of Darts (WSOD) report is coming to you in real time (hence the typos) from the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) press room somewhere inside the sprawling Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino. All is wonderful as I sit here with Dave Allen, the PDC\u2019s Media Officer. He\u2019s eating something from Starbucks and I\u2019m…","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"authors":[{"term_id":15,"user_id":2,"is_guest":0,"slug":"dartoid","display_name":"Dartoid","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2024-02-13-12_01_31-Dartoids-World-_-The-most-widely-read-column-about-darts-in-the-world.png","url2x":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2024-02-13-12_01_31-Dartoids-World-_-The-most-widely-read-column-about-darts-in-the-world.png"},"first_name":"Paul","last_name":"Seigel","user_url":"http:\/\/www.dartoidsworld.com","job_title":"","description":"\"Dartoid\" is the pseudonym of Paul Seigel, a prominent chronicler of darts for over 35 years. His columns are celebrated for their wit and insight, often detailing his quest for a game in exotic locales worldwide. His writing offers vibrant commentary on the competitive darts landscape, including players, organizations, tournaments and the sport's unique culture. Dartoid's articles are highly regarded among darts enthusiasts, solidifying his role as a pivotal figure in promoting and documenting darts as both a recreational pastime and professional sport."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7084","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7084"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7084\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7084"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7084"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7084"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dartoidsworld.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=7084"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}