2007 US Open Darts
Encyclopedia
The 2007 US Open was a darts tournament, organised by the Professional Darts Corporation
(PDC). It was the inaugural event and played in Connecticut
between May 18 and May 20.
The tournament replaced the World Series of Darts
which ran for one year and was cancelled as a result of poor television ratings on ESPN. The first US Open was be held at the Mohegan Sun Casino Resort
, Connecticut
, USA
- which was the venue used for the 2006 World Series of Darts
Phil Taylor added to his list of titles by winning the event - beating Raymond van Barneveld
in the final.
and Tony Green
, who was broadcasting from a PDC tournament for the first time. Limited coverage of the event was shown on US sport channel Versus
.
The format saw 32 boards in action on Friday Night, for "Friday Night Madness" where a minimum of 16 American players progressed to the final stages. On Saturday, the 16 US qualifiers join the top 64 in the PDC Order of Merit (who have entered). Matches were be the best of five sets, with three legs per set. The players were be whittled down to sixteen for the final stages on Sunday.
Professional Darts Corporation
The Professional Darts Corporation is a professional darts organization, established in the United Kingdom during 1992, when a group of leading professional players split from the British Darts Organisation to form what was initially called the World Darts Council...
(PDC). It was the inaugural event and played in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
between May 18 and May 20.
The tournament replaced the World Series of Darts
World Series of Darts
The World Series of Darts was a Professional Darts Corporation event which was introduced in 2006. The event was not a ratings success in the United States and the PDC decided to replace it with another new tournament, the US Open for 2007....
which ran for one year and was cancelled as a result of poor television ratings on ESPN. The first US Open was be held at the Mohegan Sun Casino Resort
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
- which was the venue used for the 2006 World Series of Darts
World Series of Darts
The World Series of Darts was a Professional Darts Corporation event which was introduced in 2006. The event was not a ratings success in the United States and the PDC decided to replace it with another new tournament, the US Open for 2007....
Phil Taylor added to his list of titles by winning the event - beating Raymond van Barneveld
Raymond van Barneveld
Raymond van Barneveld , nickname Barney is a professional darts player. He is a five time World Darts Champion, and two time UK Open Champion. From January to June 2008, he was the PDC world number one ranked player...
in the final.
Television coverage and format
The tournament was broadcast live in the UK on satellite station Challenge. The coverage was hosted by Sarah CawoodSarah Cawood
Sarah Cawood is an English television presenter.-Career:Cawood grew up in the Cambridgeshire village of Maxey and was educated at Stamford High School, Lincolnshire near Peterborough, United Kingdom. She also attended the Royal Ballet School and Arts Educational Schools London.Between 1995 and...
and Tony Green
Tony Green
Tony Green is a darts commentator for the British Darts Organisation on the BBC. He is also a former referee and master of ceremonies and was also co-host of the hit darts quiz show Bullseye on ITV alongside Jim Bowen and the show revived in 2006 on Challenge with Dave Spikey.- Darts career :A...
, who was broadcasting from a PDC tournament for the first time. Limited coverage of the event was shown on US sport channel Versus
Versus (TV channel)
Versus is a sports-oriented cable television channel in the United States. It was previously known as Outdoor Life Network and was launched on July 1, 1995, focusing on fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports...
.
The format saw 32 boards in action on Friday Night, for "Friday Night Madness" where a minimum of 16 American players progressed to the final stages. On Saturday, the 16 US qualifiers join the top 64 in the PDC Order of Merit (who have entered). Matches were be the best of five sets, with three legs per set. The players were be whittled down to sixteen for the final stages on Sunday.
Results
The first four rounds were played on Saturday May 19 over the best of five sets (best of three legs per set).Prize fund
Total Prize Fund £126,000- Winner: £12,500
- Runner-up: £7,500
- Semi-finalists: £5,000
- Quarter Finalists: £4,000
- Last 16: £3,000
- Last 32: £1,500
- Last 64: £1,000