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Curtin Rises To Challenge In Somerville
PDC / Bull’s-Eye News Official Event Report
April 22, 2006
TOM CURTIN won the final Regional Qualifier to become the 12th American player for the World Series of Darts.
The 37-year-old took victory in his home state of Massachusetts with a 4-3 win in the final of the Somerville Qualifier against Dave Lambert.
A record number of 261 players entered the event, which was staged at the Good Time Emporium in Somerville.
Curtin overcame number two seed David Thibault in the last 32 before taking out Pete Morrison and Mark Cronin to reach the final.
Curtin led 3-1 against Lambert in the final before his opponent hit back with a 15-dart leg, ending on a 104 finish.
The tension of a place at the Mohegan Sun, playing for $1 million, showed in the next leg, with Curtin missing a host of darts to take victory before Lambert finally landed double four to take the game to a decider.
Curtin, though, was again first to the double, and showed no nerves this time around by landing double 18 with his first dart.
"I thought I really blew it (in the sixth leg)," said Curtin. "Getting to the final was the hard part.
"I wasn't nervous up there, but I didn't throw my best darts of the day. Neither did Dave, but I gave him a chance in game six.
"I'm really excited and thrilled to play on stage at the Mohegan Sun against the best players in the world in the first World Series of Darts.
"I think the event is great for the US, and I hope it will pump up the sport with the American public, similar to the status it has in England and Europe."
Lambert said: "It was an awesome experience, I had a lot of fun.
"I didn't throw as well in the final as I did all afternoon, but I have nothing to be ashamed of. Making the final two out of 261 was a long road and I have no complaints."
With 12 of the 16 American qualifiers for the World Series of Darts now confirmed, the final four places will go to the winners of Friday Night Madness on 19 May.
Players will have three hours to register the lowest number of darts used for one leg of 501, with the best 16, plus ties, then playing off for the remaining four places.
American players can register for Friday Night Madness here: "World Series of Darts"
Qualifier Twelve - Somerville, MA: Results
Winner: Tom Curtin (Townsend, MA)
Runner-Up: Dave Lambert (Lowville, NY)
Semi-Finalists: Bob Given (Watertown, MA), Mark Cronin (Worcester, MA)
Quarter-Finalists: Jeff Russell (Dover, NH), Peter Morrison (Melrose, MA), Matt Malone (Putnam Valley, NY), Jim Cayer (Worcester, MA)
Last 16: Bob Adamson (North Attleboro, MA), Kevin Horan (Braintree, MA), Rofino Loyola (Newport, RI), Sean Downs (Colton, CA), Mike Maguire (Brewster, MA), Steve Maguire (Brewster, MA), Mark Schlesinger (Lathem, NY), Arthur Mele (Nashua, NH)
BEN Pro Ranked Top Seeds In Attendance:
1st seed - Sean Downs - Colton, CA
2nd seed - David Thibault - Virginia Beach, VA
3rd seed - Tim O’Gorman - Bohemia, NY
4th seed - Bill Bell - Staten Island, NY
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