Stowe Buntz has stunned the darts world by revealing he is likely to take a break from the sport, moments after helping Team USA to a historic 4-3 victory over Australia in the group stage of the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt. The win, alongside partner Adam Sevada, marked a long-awaited triumph for American darts, but Buntz's post-match comments overshadowed the celebrations.
When asked whether the victory would reignite his motivation after a dip in form this season, Buntz was brutally honest. “If I'm honest and transparent, no. I'm going to make some decisions. I'll probably step away from darts for a little while,” he said. He acknowledged the win had given him something, adding, “But this has put me back where I need to be.” Pressed on whether the adrenaline might change his plans, he simply replied, “No.”
Sevada, meanwhile, expressed relief and pride in the result. “It was fun. It was stressful, but it was fun. I'm glad to be a part of it,” he said. He noted that with the talent in America, the win “might be a win that should have come a lot sooner.” The pair had known they would likely form the team “seven or eight months ago,” with Sevada joking that “nobody could physically catch us” in the standings.
The Americans also addressed the future of North American darts. Sevada credited the CDC (Championship Darts Corporation) as the platform that has allowed players to improve and access PDC tournaments. “Huge thanks to the CDC. Because of the CDC, more Americans have been able to play PDC tournaments,” he said. Buntz went further, highlighting the high travel costs within North America and calling for greater investment. “If it's so easy to tap into the market, bring your sponsors, bring your connections, bring everything. Come tap into the North American market,” he urged.
Both players acknowledged the responsibility of representing North American darts on the international stage. “We’re there to showcase ourselves, but also to represent North American darts and to show what opportunities the CDC has created,” Buntz said, though he stressed the path is “painful and costly.” Sevada fully agreed: “Everything he said, I absolutely agree with. One hundred percent.”
