Gary Anderson will know he should have played in the final of the first ever US Darts Masters on Saturday. 

He lost in the semi-finals to Daryl Gurney after missing darts to go 4-0, 5-1 and 5-2 in front. He also missed 'tops' for a 5-4 lead and D10 to level at five apiece. Unfortunately the Unicorn man only has himself to blame. 

It was there for the taking.

Michael van Gerwen won the US Masters in Vegas - his 10th World Series title in all - as he beat Gurney 8-6 at the Tropicana Hotel.....Viva Van Gerwen in Vegas!

Anderson was cruising as he led 4-1 but then came the double trouble. He missed D6 for a 126 finish and 4-0 and then he blew dart after dart at 'tops' to allow Gurney back into the match, and the Irishman took his chances. 

Gary was in total control and actually averaged 103 despite 11 crucial missed darts at doubles, but he will quite rightly be kicking himself. Earlier Anderson was comfortable in beating Raymond van Barneveld 8-4 in the quarter-finals.

It should have been an Anderson/Van Gerwen final, but a gentle reminder for the Scot to take nothing for granted as he starts his preparations for the World Matchplay in Blackpool next weekend. 

Gurney beat the World No.3 in the quarter-finals, the World No.2 in the semi-finals and came very close to toppling the World No.1 

He led 5-3 before Van Gerwen found his form and put his foot on the gas, winning five legs out of six to take another big title. He also wins a Ford Mustang! What a day for the World No.1

Someone else will get an opportunity in Auckland, Melbourne and Perth next month because Van Gerwen won't be playing in those events as he gets ready to become a Dad for the first time!

All in all, a hugely successful return to the USA for big time darts. 

US Masters results - Q/Finals:

Gerwyn Price 8-4 Dawson Murschell 

Michael van Gerwen 8-1 Dave Richardson

Gary Anderson 8-4 Raymond van Barneveld 

Daryl Gurney 8-7 Peter Wright

S/Finals:

Michael van Gerwen 8-0 Gerwyn Price

Daryl Gurney 8-4 Gary Anderson 

Final:

Michael van Gerwen 8-6 Daryl Gurney 

Story from STUART PYKE in Las Vegas

Photo courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC

Posted in News Unicorn Darts