World Seniors Darts Masters 2024 LIVE RESULTS: John Henderson beats Robert Thornton to win title & £10k prize – updates

Last night's results

And here is how the action panned out last night:

Martin Adams 4-0 Chris Mason
Neil Duff 4-1 Darryl Fitton
John Henderson 4-1 Scott Mitchell
Richie Howson 2-4 Tony O’Shea

Yesterday's results

Here’s how the World Seniors Darts Masters last-16 action panned out yesterday.

Afternoon:
Lisa Ashton 2-4 Matt Clark
Paul Hogan 4-1 Glen Durrant
Rob Thornton 4-0 Trina Gulliver
Eirig Rowlands 4-1 Andrew Kateley

Humphries excited but wary

World champion Luke Humphries launches his bid to retain the Grand Slam of Darts title today.

The planet's top-rated player faces Austria’s World Cup runner-up Rowby-John Rodriguez in his opener.

Three-time finalist James Wade and debutant Mickey Mansell are also in his group.

Top prize for the winner from a 32-player field is £150,000.

Humphries said: “I always enjoy playing at the Grand Slam

“James is always a really tough player to beat, and Rowby has not had his best season but when he’s been on the big stage he’s played well.

“Mickey is always dangerous. In my opinion he’s one of the most under-rated players out there.

“I know I will be the favourite, but that doesn’t mean anything, so I need to make sure I’m at the top of my game.”

How the World Seniors Darts Masters last 8 looks

We're down to the quarter-final stage now - with favourite John Henderson amongst yesterday's many comfortable last-16 winners.

Remember - it's still the first to four sets.

Quarter-finals:
Martin Adams vs Paul Hogan
John Henderson vs Matt Clark
Eirig Rowlands vs Tony O'Shea
Rob Thornton vs Neil Duff

Last night's Seniors results

Here's how the World Seniors Darts Masters last-16 action panned out yesterday evening.

Afternoon:
Lisa Ashton 2-4 Matt Clark
Paul Hogan 4-1 Glen Durrant
Rob Thornton 4-0 Trina Gulliver
Eirig Rowlands 4-1 Andrew Kateley

Evening:
Martin Adams 4-0 Chris Mason
Neil Duff 4-1 Darryl Fitton
John Henderson 4-1 Scott Mitchell
Richie Howson 2-4 Tony O’Shea

Bully Boy admits pressure

World No 2 Michael Smith admits he's a little worried - for two reasons.

Not only is the 2022 Grand Slam king defending £650,000 on the two-year PDC Order of Merit, his top-10 position might be under threat

Bully Boy begins against wily Austrian Mensur Suljovic.

Recent giantkillers Mike De Decker and Jermaine Wattimena complete Group E.

Smith said: “If I said I didn’t feel pressure I’d be lying, but I’ve been around this game long enough now to know what’s happening 

“Yes, I’m defending a lot of money. Yes, I’m not playing at the level I’d like to be, but I think in spells you’ve seen what I can produce.

“I know it’s there, it’s just not consistently there, and I think that’s down to last year where I only really played stage events. I lost a bit of confidence in my game.

“For the last five to six months I’ve been practising non-stop, so hopefully it all falls into place this week.” 

Littler set for Slam debut

Luke Littler is one of three Grand Slam of Darts debutants in Group F.

UK Open champion Dimitri Van den Bergh appears to be his main danger.

But new boys Keane Barry and Lourence Ilagan might be extra motivated by their maiden slam appearances.

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Grand Slam format and prizes

The length of matches in the Grand Slam of Darts zooms up from best-of-nine legs in the first round to best of 31 from the last-eight stage.

And that's understandable with £150,000 going to the winner - in a competition featuring Luke Humphries, Luke Littler and all.

Format
Group Stage - Best of Nine legs
Second Round - Best of 19 legs
Quarter-Finals - Best of 31 legs
Semi-Finals - Best of 31 legs
Final - Best of 31 legs

Prize Fund
Winner - £150,000
Runner-Up - £70,000
Semi-Finalists - £50,000
Quarter-Finalists - £25,000
Second Round Losers - £12,250
Third in Group - £8,000
Fourth in Group - £5,000
Group Winner Bonus - £3,500
Total - £650,000

Edhouse now fearless

Ritchie Edhouse claims he's fearless after winning the European Championship.

The Basildon ace, 41, is in Grand Slam of Darts action this afternoon.

His bid for a second successive live-televised title opens against 2022 European king Ross Smith, with Dave Chisnall and Connor Scutt completing Group D.

Edhouse said: "I haven’t got any fears anymore

“I always thought it was possible [to win a televised title] but I didn’t think it would happen so soon.

“I always come to tournaments believing I can win things, but that was a dream come true in Dortmund.

“The only way is up for me now. If I concentrate for the next couple of years, dig in and perform at the major tournaments, anything is possible!"

Second big tournament starts...

As well as the World Seniors Darts Masters continuing on Saturday, the Grand Slam of Darts starts.

Here's how the action in that second event pans out.

Afternoon Session (1-5pm)
Group Stage x8 – Groups B-C-D-H First Matches
Stephen Bunting v Wessel Nijman (H)
Josh Rock v Gian van Veen (H)
Dave Chisnall v Connor Scutt (D)
Danny Noppert v Beau Greaves (B)
Martin Schindler v Cameron Menzies (B)
Rob Cross v Leonard Gates (C)
Peter Wright v Martin Lukeman (C)
Ross Smith v Ritchie Edhouse (D)

Evening Session (7-11pm)
Group Stage x8 – Groups A-E-F-G First Matches
James Wade v Mickey Mansell (A)
Gary Anderson v Ryan Joyce (G)
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Lourence Ilagan (F)
Michael Smith v Mensur Suljovic (E)
Michael van Gerwen v Noa-Lynn van Leuven (G)
Luke Littler v Keane Barry (F)
Luke Humphries v Rowby-John Rodriguez (A)
Mike De Decker v Jermaine Wattimena (E)