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Bahrain Darts Masters – Quarter final line up, predictions for tournament

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Luke-Littler (John Walton-PA)

The 2026 World Series of Darts has kicked off with the Bahrain Darts Masters. The format sees eight of the best players from the Professional Darts Corporation take on eight regional representatives in the last-16.

After the Bahrain event, the series continues in Saudi Arabia, Denmark, the United States, New Zealand and Australia, before concluding with the Grand Final in the Netherlands in September.

The winner of each international event earns £30,000 from a £100,000 prize fund, while the World Series of Darts Grand Final carries a total prize fund of £450,000, with £100,000 awarded to the champion.

One day for everything: Bahrain Darts Masters heads from quarters to final

It will be a busy day in Bahrain, with the tournament moving from the quarter-finals to the final and a champion crowned tonight.

All eight Professional Darts Corporation representatives came through their last-16 matches against Asian opponents, with two-time world champion Luke Littler producing a tournament-high average of 106 in his victory over 71-year-old Singaporean Paul Lim.

From quarter-finals to champion: line-up and predictions

The quarter-finals, played as best-of-11 legs, get under way at 4pm GMT today. They will be followed by the semi-finals, played over best-of-13 legs, before the tournament concludes with a best-of-15 legs final.

Quarter-finals

Luke Littler v Gerwyn Price

The quarter-finals open with world number one Luke Littler facing former world champion Gerwyn Price. Given Littler’s dominance over the sport over the past year, it is difficult to look beyond a victory for the 19-year-old sensation.

Price’s best chance may lie in catching Littler cold early on and ensuring his finishing on the doubles is close to flawless.

Prediction: Littler 6-3

Michael van Gerwen v Stephen Bunting

It is clear that ‘Mighty Mike’ is not the player he once was, and after a limp fourth-round defeat to Gary Anderson at the World Championship, van Gerwen will be desperate to arrest his slide and return to challenging for the sport’s biggest titles.

He faces a player in Bunting whose form has often come in streaks, but who has shown far greater consistency over the past twelve months. It should be a close contest, but one that may go Bunting’s way and offer further cause for concern for the once dominant Dutchman.

Prediction: Bunting 6-4

Luke Humphries v Nathan Aspinall

Luke Humphries averaged 103 in his last-16 victory, whitewashing Abdulla Saeed. If he can maintain that level, it is difficult to see Nathan Aspinall having enough in the tank to get past the former world champion.

Prediction: Humphries 6-2

Gian van Veen v Danny Noppert

Gian van Veen announced himself in style on the PDC tour over the past three months, defeating Luke Humphries 11–10 in the European Championship final before reaching the final of this year’s World Championship, where he fell to the unstoppable Littler.

Noppert, meanwhile, has struggled to live up to expectations since winning the UK Open in 2022. Formidable on his day, he may still find Gian van Veen has too much in the tank on this occasion.

Prediction: van Veen 6-3

Semi-final and final predictions

It is difficult to see any scenario in which the final does not feature Luke Littler. If Bunting progresses from his quarter-final and finds his best form, he has the quality to come through, though much will again depend on whether Littler is on hot form from the opening leg. And sometimes that isn’t even enough given his ability to claw back any deficit.

Should the second semi-final pit Humphries against van Veen, it would carry the potential to echo their meeting at the World Championship, where the Dutchman dismantled Humphries in a stunning performance.

Who will win the title?

On current form and dominance, Luke Littler looks the clear favourite, operating on a level that feels a step beyond the rest of the field.

Winner: Luke Littler to beat Gian van Veen 8-5





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Tomlin could be the next John Madden

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9 hours ago

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January 16, 2026

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Now that Mike Tomlin stepped down as the Steelers coach after nineteen seasons without a losing year, the football world waits for his next move. His next act should be television where his voice and presence could elevate any broadcast. He would fit perfectly as a third man in the booth on Thursday Night Football with Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit. Tomlin brings command and clarity that fans respect. He also brings a steady tone that works well in live moments. His famous line you do not live in your fears fits the broadcast world. Viewers want confidence and Tomlin delivers it every time he speaks.

Why Tomlin Could Be the Next John Madden

Tomlin has a rare mix of insight and personality. He explains football with simple language that fans understand. That skill helped John Madden become a legend. Tomlin could follow that path with his own style. He often says the standard is the standard. That line alone could become a weekly signature on national television. NFL Films has long praised coaches who teach with clarity. Tomlin teaches with rhythm and energy that feels natural on camera. He also brings humor that sneaks up on viewers. That combination could make him a breakout star.

If Not the Booth Tomlin Could Own the Studio

If the booth is not his first stop, Tomlin could thrive on a studio set. He knows the game at every level. He understands players and strategy with rare depth. He also brings entertaining banter that fits modern sports television. His timing and delivery could match the energy of Charles Barkley. Fans enjoy Barkley because he mixes honesty with humor. Tomlin could do the same with football. He would break down plays with sharp detail. He would also keep the conversation fun and loose.

After Coaching Since 1994 Television Makes Sense

Tomlin has coached since 1994. That is a long run in a demanding profession. Television offers a new challenge without the grind of daily coaching. Networks and streaming services want strong voices. Tomlin fits that need better than almost anyone available. He could earn money on the level of Aikman, Brady, or Romo. He could also reach fans in a new way. His next chapter feels ready. Television may be the perfect place for him to write it.







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Higgins and Trump book semi-final showdown at the 2026 Masters

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15 hours ago

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January 15, 2026

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John-Higgins (Bradley-Collyer-PA)

John Higgins and Judd Trump will face off in Saturday’s first semi-final after coming through quarter-finals of contrasting quality.

Higgins, 50, rolled back the years with a superb comeback from 5–3 down to defeat the current world champion Zhao Xintong, while Trump continued this year’s dominant 6–2 theme by beating Mark Allen in a match that proved far tougher than the scoreline suggested.

Higgins stops world champion Zhao with thrilling comeback

John Higgins 6 – 5 Zhao Xintong (best of 11 frames)

John Higgins proved he can still stand toe to toe with the very best, producing a tenacious fightback from 5–2 down to claim a remarkable victory in the deciding frame.

Zhao Xintong, playing fearlessly in his first Masters quarter-final, looked the more fluent of the two in the early frames, compiling breaks of 89 and 74. But John Higgins dug in to keep the match level after six frames, helped by a superb century break of 114.

Errors in the seventh and eighth frames allowed Zhao to move to the brink of the semi-finals, but Higgins summoned every ounce of experience to claw back the deficit and force a deciding frame.

The final frame appeared to be going Zhao’s way until he missed a long red to bring his break to an end at 53. John Higgins stepped in, cleared the table, and sealed a dramatic victory to reach his first Masters semi-final since 2018.

Trump finds just enough form to edge out Allen

Judd Trump 6 – 2 Mark Allen

The second semi-final proved a less enthralling affair, with neither Judd Trump nor Mark Allen producing their best.

World number one Judd Trump appeared to struggle with his positional play early on, but Mark Allen, who was playing the better of the two, failed to capitalise as the opening four frames were shared.

The match, dominated by prolonged safety exchanges, gradually tipped in Trump’s favour as he proved the more positive and clinical, reeling off four straight frames after the mid-session interval.

Trump will need to raise his level for Saturday’s meeting with Higgins, but it is likely to be a more fluid contest than his match against Allen, given the contrast in tempo between the two opponents.





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Live Updates from the Sony Open

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16 hours ago

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January 15, 2026

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on the xxx hole during the final round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament, Sunday, June 25, 2017, in Cromwell, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

The Sony Open is underway at Waialae Country Club in Oahu, Hawaii. This article will serve as a thread of live updates plus information from the grouping of Hideki Matsuyama, Keegan Bradley, and Jordan Spieth.

SPORTS TALK FLORIDA

SPORTS TALK GEORGIA

As of 12:30 Hawaiian Standard time or 5:30 Eastern Standard time, the leaderboard in the media room is as follows

T1 Ben Griffin: -7, Finished

T1 Chris Gotterup: -7, Finished

T1 Nick Taylor: -7, through 17 holes

T1 Kevin Roy: -7, through 15 holes

5 Alex Smalley: -6, finished

T6 Denny McCarthy: -5, Finished

T6 Kurt Kitayama: -5, Finished

T6 Harry Hall: -5, Finished

T6 Russell Henley: -5, Finished

T6 John Parry: -5, through 16 holes

Live Updates from Matsuyama, Bradley, and Spieth Round 1 at the Sony Open

Update 12:55

I finally was able to catchup to the group on the tee box at 4.

Through 3 they all are currently 1 under par

Interesting note: Bradley birdied 1, Spieth birdied 2 and Matsuyama birdied 3.

Hole 4:

Spieth: Missed the green right. The ball is pretty well buried, tough up and down. Not a bad chip, not a great chip either long look for par. Par putt left just short, it’s a bogey on 4.

Bradley: On the green in the middle tier will have a long uphill putt at birdie. Good lag putt, just short, he cleans up for par.

Matsuyama: Got his tee shot to the back third tier of the green, best look at birdie of the 3. Missed the putt just left of the hole and cleans up for par

Through 4: Bradley -1, Matsuyama -1, Spieth E

Hole 5: Par 4 with the pin tucked in the back right of the green.

Matsuyama: In the fairway on the left side. Missed the green to the right will be chipping from the rough. Good chip will have a really good chance to save par. Misses the short par putt, bogey on 5.

Bradley: In the fairway on the left side. A couple yards closer than Matsuyama. Hits the middle of the green in the back will have a putt at birdie. Drills the long birdie putt to move to -2.

Spieth: In the fairway on the right side. Sticks one to the back right pin should have a really good look at birdie. Missed his birdie putt.

Through 5: Bradley -2, Spieth E, and Matsuyama E

Hole 6: Par 4, middle pin placement





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