By Paul Durrant
The 2021 ProTour season kicked off at Whites Hotel, Bolton last week, four Players Championship events over consecutive days starting Thursday. A total of £300,000 in prize money, 75k per day, with 10k to the winner, 6k for the runner up.
Thursdays winner was Joe Cullen, narrow victor over newly crowned Ladbrokes Masters Champion, Jonny Clayton 8-7. Cullens winning average a paltry 86.5, Clayton 92.8, they are long tiring days starting at 2-00pm. No excuse though, as Clayton recorded a semi average of 109.6 in his demolition of Jon Worsley 7-0.
Thursdays winner was Joe Cullen
Michael Smith managed the 1st 9 darter, the 4th of the season ( 3 at Q School ). His combination, 180,177,144, in the 9th leg of his opening match. Michael van Gerwen went out to new TourCard holder, Lewy Williams in the 3rd round 6-5, yet another brilliant Welshman. Three missed match darts from MvG allowed the youngster to check out on 111 in the eleventh leg. Raymond van Barneveld went ou