bet365 US Darts Masters: Introducing 'High Voltage', Rob Cross

bet365 News Team Updated: Jun 14 2023 22:03 Published: May 29 2023 20:30

We profile the 2018 World Champion Rob Cross as he bids to add the bet365 US Darts Masters title to his cabinet in New York City in June.

How many ranking titles has Rob Cross won?

The 2018 World Championship win is the biggest triumph on Cross’ record.

It was an incredible victory for Voltage, who was making his debut in the event and he went on to lift the biggest prize in darts having never previously played a World Championship match on the Alexandra Palace stage.

The 32-year-old is the only player to win the PDC World Championship at the first attempt - barring players who have played in the BDO World Championship - and there are plenty of other titles on Cross’ card.

Voltage won the 2019 World Matchplay title, one of the sport’s Grand Slam events, and that was a superb effort which saw him beat Michael Smith in the final.

The Kent arrowsmith lifted the European Championship title in the same season and he again captured that continental crown in 2021.

Cross has been a prolific winner on the Pro Tour, winning eight Players Championship events since 2017, and the 32-year-old also triumphed in the 2018 Brisbane Darts Masters.

Things have been a little lean for Cross in recent times, but a run to the final of the Masters earlier this year suggests that he may be returning to his hottest form.

What is Rob Cross' current world ranking?

Cross is currently ranked number five on the PDC Pro Tour, having collected £543,000 in ranking points this season.

It has been a remarkable rise for a player that was competing as an amateur, having won a Riley’s qualifier, as recently as the 2016 UK Open.

Following his exploits in the UK Open, Voltage joined the Challenge Tour, won three tournaments, reached two other finals and those efforts landed him a PDC Tour Card for the 2017-18 season.

The Hastings man finished the 2018 and 2019 seasons as the world number two, before a period of indifferent form saw Voltage slip to fourth in the rankings at the end of the 2020 campaign.

Cross started 2022 as the world number 10, but a return to something like his best form has seen the 32-year-old climb back into the top-five positions and there may well be more to come from Voltage with plenty of big events on the horizon.

How old is Rob Cross?

Cross is 32 years old and will not turn 33 until 21st September. He was just 27 when he beat Phil Taylor to be crowned world champion in 2018.

Where is Rob Cross from?

Cross was born in Pembury, Kent and spent much of his early life growing up in nearby Edenbridge.

How much prize money has Rob Cross won during his career?

Cross has collected £543,000 in prize money over a two-year period in ranking tournaments.

He has not been involved in the lucrative invitational Premier League event this term, but the 32-year-old picked up £30,000 alone for reaching the final of the Masters earlier this season.

The former electrician pocketed £400,000 when winning the 2018 World Championship.

What darts does Rob Cross use?

Target manufactures the darts used by Cross, who throws a 21g, 90 per cent tungsten, 48mm slim barrel Generation 2 dart.

What are Rob Cross' other career achievements?

Aside from World Championship and major tournament success, Cross has plenty of further achievements on his record.

Voltage won the 2016 PDC Challenge Tour Order of Merit, where he also hit a nine-dart finish during his time on the second-tier tour.

The 32-year-old broke into the top-20 in his first year on the Pro Tour and lifted the World Championship title on his debut appearance at Alexandra Palace.

Cross went from an electrician to world champion in only 18 months.

He joins Dennis Priestley, John Part, Raymond van Barneveld and Gary Anderson, as the only players to have beaten the legendary Phil Taylor in a final of the PDC World Championship.