Rob Cross secured his fifth World Series of Darts title with a commanding performance at the TOTO Dutch Darts Masters on Saturday, defeating Stephen Bunting 8-5 in the Den Bosch final.
Bouncing back in style from his first-round exit in Bahrain the previous week, Cross delivered a series of outstanding displays at De Maaspoort to claim the Toon Greebe Trophy.
After overcoming Richard Veenstra on Friday, Cross continued his strong form with a quarter-final victory over another Dutchman, Jermaine Wattimena, hitting six doubles from eight attempts.
The 2018 World Champion then averaged over 100 and landed 50% of his doubles in a dominant semi-final win against Gerwyn Price.
In the final, Cross denied Bunting back-to-back World Series titles by securing an 8-5 victory over the Bahrain Darts Masters winner. He averaged nearly 102 and finished 8/15 doubles.
Cross started strongly, racing into a 2-0 lead and extending his advantage with 13-dart legs to go 3-1 and 5-2 up. However, Bunting responded impressively, leveling the match with legs of 14, 12, and 12 darts, including checkouts of 62, 94, and 130.
Undeterred, Cross regained control with a crucial double 18 checkout before sealing the title with two double-eight finishes, marking his first World Series victory in Europe.
"It's amazing to come here and win – it’s special for me, " said Cross, last year’s US Darts Masters champion. "I think it’s about time I won in the Netherlands, and I’m very grateful. The crowd was brilliant, and my determination and focus got me through.
"Stephen is a great player and a credit to the sport. He put in the work today but probably ran out of steam. To win this one means so much. It’s been a great weekend, and I love the World Series."
Bunting impressed en route to his second consecutive World Series final, defeating two former World Champions. He edged past Raymond van Barneveld with a 13-darter in the quarter-finals before sealing victory over Luke Littler in the semi-finals with an 11-darter.
"To reach two finals back-to-back is amazing, and it was a great final, " said Bunting. "Rob played really well and had me under pressure from the start.
"If you’d told me at the start of the tournament that I’d be in the final, I’d have taken it. Credit to Rob. I’ll regroup and get ready for Milton Keynes next week.
"I’m playing the best darts of my life, and with the support I have, both from fans and on social media, everything is in a great place. I can’t wait to continue my form in the World Masters."
Littler had ended Michael van Gerwen’s title defense with a 6-3 quarter-final win, despite two 12-dart legs from the Dutchman.
However, the newly crowned World Champion fell short of reaching another Den Bosch final as Bunting took out 130 in their semi-final decider, leaving Littler stranded after nine darts.
2025 TOTO Dutch Darts Masters
Saturday January 25
Quarter-Finals
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Raymond van Barneveld
Luke Littler 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Kevin Doets
Rob Cross 6-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Semi-Finals
Stephen Bunting 7-6 Luke Littler
Rob Cross 7-3 Gerwyn Price
Final
Rob Cross 8-5 Stephen Bunting
