Kevin Doets delivered a masterclass on Friday afternoon in the first round of the European Darts Trophy, producing a staggering 117.12 average to set a new tournament record. The Sweden-based Dutchman handed Euro Tour debutant Jonas Masalin a painful 6-0 defeat, with the gap in averages exceeding forty points as Masalin managed only 75.50.
Doets, nicknamed "Hawk Eye," was immediately in the groove, starting with a 12-darter in the opening leg. Masalin missed four chances to take the second leg, after which Doets doubled his lead via tops. He then stretched it to 4-0 with a 14-darter and another 12-darter. In the fifth leg, Doets began modestly with a score of 45 but followed up with 180 and 140 to be on a finish after nine darts, taking out 136 on his fourth visit to make it 5-0. He wrapped it up in style with an 11-darter, cementing his 117.12 average.
That mark immediately set the highest average ever at the European Darts Trophy, surpassing the previous record held by Michael van Gerwen at 115.13. Doets also narrowly missed out on the Euro Tour record, which belongs to Dave Chisnall with 118.66, set at the German Darts Championship in 2018. In ranking terms, Doets made excellent progress, sitting just outside the provisional qualification spots for the World Matchplay. With Cam Crabtree as his opponent in round two, Doets has a good chance to bank valuable pounds in the qualification race.
