US Darts Masters: Jim Lung stuns world champion and No. 1 Michael Smith on opening night at MSG
Fans pack Madison Square Garden in wild costumes and TRAFFIC CONES as Jim Long stuns World Champion and No. 1 Michael Smith on opening night of the US Darts Masters
- Lung defied five 180s from Smith to seal his spot in the quarterfinals
- The 55-year-old Canadian will compete against Michael van Gerwen in 2017
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Jim Long stunned world number 1 Michael Smith on opening night of the 2023 bet365 US Darts Masters, knocking out the reigning champion in a memorable night at Madison Square Garden.
The 55-year-old Canadian showed the best of his 24-year career when he caused a huge stir in New York by defying five 180s from the 32-year-old Scot to book his spot in Saturday’s quarter-finals.
Jeff Smith, who is also from Canada, reached the last eight of the tournament together with his compatriot Long after beating Peter Wright.
However, Long got the crowd going at the Theater on MSG, landing three 180s and turning 97 and 115 box office hits to set up an intriguing clash against 2017 champion Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands.
“I’m still taking it in. Michael is the cream of the crop. I’m ecstatic,” said Long, one-time World Cup of Darts quarter-finalist in 2019.
Canada’s Jim Long caused a stir by defeating World No. 1 Michael Smith in New York
Smith (L) and Long (R) shake hands after their matchup at bet365 US Darts Masters at MSG
Several fans were spotted wearing traffic cones on their heads while holding foam fingers
“This is by far the biggest win of my career. I was so nervous. I had so many friends here tonight, so it’s a very special night for me.’
Along with Long’s friends in the crowd, several sets of fans from around the world came forward, all dressed in different outfits.
Several supporters were spotted with cones on their heads while holding bet365 foam fingers. Others held scoreboards as they cheered on their favorite player.
American fans were also spotted wearing gold t-shirts with the words ‘average joe’s’ on them
LOST A LOT?: Some American fans seemingly swapped the dates of the NHL Finals for darts
Many fans at Madison Square Garden showed scoreboards at every opportunity
In particular, a small group of fans wore gold T-shirts with the words “average joe’s” on them, as well as blue, white, and red headbands and armwrists while cheering for American players.
There were also three darts enthusiasts who wore an American hockey jersey and seemed to mix up the day of the first game of the NHL Finals and the first day of the US Darts Masters.
The US Darts Masters will take place on Saturday evening, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final taking place in the Theater in one go.
The bet365 North American Championship also kicks off on Saturday, with eight US and Canadian stars competing for $25,000 in prize money and a spot in the 2023/24 World Darts Championship.
The winner of the US Darts Masters takes home $74,700 Planet Sports. Coverage of the tournament is provided by DAZN in the US and Canada.