Chris Mason (darts player)
Encyclopedia
Christopher John Mason is an English darts
player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation
. He uses the nickname Mace the Ace for his matches.
making his World Championship
debut in 1996. He lost 0–3 to Andy Fordham
. After joining the World Darts Council
in 1996, Mason competed in the WDC world championships in 1997 and he lost 1–3 to Gerald Verrier and 0–3 to Phil Taylor in the group stage. In 1997, Mason reached the final of the Sky Sports World Pairs partnered by Steve Raw, where they were narrowly beaten by Taylor and Bob Anderson.
He went back to the BDO after the Tomlin Order. After a second round defeat in the BDO world championships in 1998, he enjoyed his best achievement in the 1999 World Championship when he recovered from 1–4 down in his best-of-nine quarter-final match against Martin Adams
to win 6–4 in legs in the deciding set. This match is regarded as one of the best matches on television. He lost the semi-final 2–5 to Raymond van Barneveld
, three of those sets on deciding legs.
He avenged the defeat to van Barneveld the following year beating him 3–1 in the first round and averaged over 100 with each visit to the board. Mason also beat Fordham in the quarter-finals before losing 4–5 to Ted Hankey
in the semi-finals, after leading 4–2, this match holds the 180 record for a 9 set match with 38 180's hit in the match, 16 of them from Mason, marking the second consecutive year that he had lost to the eventual champion in the semi-finals.
Mason's last appearance at Lakeside was a first round defeat to Mervyn King in 2001. He also reached the semi final of the BDO's other major tournament, the Winmau World Masters
in 2000 and shortly after the BDO/PDC agreed Tomlin Order, some BDO players participated in the World Matchplay event between 1998 and 2001. Mason reached the 1998 semi-final losing 11–13 to Ronnie Baxter
and the 1999 quarter-finals before losing 11–16 to Taylor. Mason also hit the perfect 9 dart game in the last 32 stage of the Winmau World Masters, watched by good friend Bobby George
, who said "it was OK apart from the treble 19 wasn't quite in the middle".
(PDC) in time to play at the PDC World Championships again in 2002, but he lost in the first round to Dave Askew. He reached the quarter finals in 2003 – losing to eventual champion John Part
. He took time out from the game to deal with his personal issues and his enforced absence caused him to miss most tournaments in 2003 and 2004 – but he returned to play in the 2004 World Grand Prix
in October and reached the quarter-finals.
Mason has many titles to his name including the Irish Masters which WAS televised! and the Vauxhall Pro Open on 3 occasions although neither event was televised. Mason won the Irish Masters which was screened by Sky and also has lifted the Scottish Open and the English Open titles to his impressive résumé. Mason was Taylor's opposition at the 2002 World Matchplay
when Taylor hit the first nine-dart finish
to be televised live on British screens.
Mason has reached the quarter-finals of most major PDC events, including the 2005 UK Open
, 2006 Las Vegas Desert Classic
and 2006 World Matchplay
.
, on broadcaster ITV, Mason announced that he intended to retire from darts following the forthcoming qualifying rounds of the 2011 PDC World Championship
, declaring that "even if I do qualify, which is unlikely, the World Championships will be my swansong". It was later announced by the PDC that he declined the opportunity of a Pro Tour Card
for 2011, effectively confirming his decision – although he would be eligible to compete in qualifiers for Pro Tour event or switch to the BDO circuit
instead. Chris has recently hinted that he may get back into darts but it would be a very professional job stating that he would begin to give 100% as he claimed he only gave 70% during his career.
and allegedly swearing at him during the post-match handshake on-stage after Taylor beat him 4–0. He did apologise to Taylor after the tournament ended, but received a £750 fine and a four-month ban (suspended for 12 months) from the Darts Regulation Authority.
for the inaugural Grand Slam of Darts
. It was ITV's return to broadcasting darts after an absence of almost two decades. He remained a feature of their coverage as a match summariser and co-commentator during ITV's coverage of the next three Grand Slam of Darts, the first European Championship
and the first two Players Championship Finals
.
, Ireland
to Stoke-on-Trent
late in 2006. A few top players had made Stoke their home and Mason made the move partly so he could practice with Andy Hamilton
. However, shortly after the World Championship Hamilton switched to practising with Taylor – who broke off from mentoring Adrian Lewis
. He currently resides in Wolverhampton
.
He is married to Lorna and has three children.
Darts
Darts is a form of throwing game where darts are thrown at a circular target fixed to a wall. Though various boards and games have been used in the past, the term "darts" usually now refers to a standardised game involving a specific board design and set of rules...
player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation
Professional Darts Corporation
The Professional Darts Corporation is a professional darts organization, established in the United Kingdom during 1992, when a group of leading professional players split from the British Darts Organisation to form what was initially called the World Darts Council...
. He uses the nickname Mace the Ace for his matches.
BDO and first PDC spell
He began his career in the British Darts OrganisationBritish Darts Organisation
The British Darts Organisation, or the BDO for short, is a darts organisation founded on 7 January 1973 by Olly Croft, OBE. The BDO is a founder member of the World Darts Federation which was formed in 1976....
making his World Championship
BDO World Darts Championship
The BDO World Darts Championship is a world championship competition in darts, organised by the British Darts Organisation . It began in 1978, and was the only world championship tournament until 1994...
debut in 1996. He lost 0–3 to Andy Fordham
Andy Fordham
Andy "The Viking" Fordham is an English darts player. He won the 2004 BDO World Darts Championship, beating Mervyn King in the final...
. After joining the World Darts Council
Professional Darts Corporation
The Professional Darts Corporation is a professional darts organization, established in the United Kingdom during 1992, when a group of leading professional players split from the British Darts Organisation to form what was initially called the World Darts Council...
in 1996, Mason competed in the WDC world championships in 1997 and he lost 1–3 to Gerald Verrier and 0–3 to Phil Taylor in the group stage. In 1997, Mason reached the final of the Sky Sports World Pairs partnered by Steve Raw, where they were narrowly beaten by Taylor and Bob Anderson.
He went back to the BDO after the Tomlin Order. After a second round defeat in the BDO world championships in 1998, he enjoyed his best achievement in the 1999 World Championship when he recovered from 1–4 down in his best-of-nine quarter-final match against Martin Adams
Martin Adams
Martin Adams is an English international darts player. Nicknamed Wolfie or Mr BDO, he is BDO world ranked number one, three-time and reigning BDO World Champion and three-time World Masters champion...
to win 6–4 in legs in the deciding set. This match is regarded as one of the best matches on television. He lost the semi-final 2–5 to Raymond van Barneveld
Raymond van Barneveld
Raymond van Barneveld , nickname Barney is a professional darts player. He is a five time World Darts Champion, and two time UK Open Champion. From January to June 2008, he was the PDC world number one ranked player...
, three of those sets on deciding legs.
He avenged the defeat to van Barneveld the following year beating him 3–1 in the first round and averaged over 100 with each visit to the board. Mason also beat Fordham in the quarter-finals before losing 4–5 to Ted Hankey
Ted Hankey
Edward "Ted" Hankey is an English darts player who is a two-time BDO World Professional Darts Champion. His nickname is The Count and his walk on music is Be On Your Way by DJ Zany. Hankey built up a large following due to his obsession with and resemblance to Dracula...
in the semi-finals, after leading 4–2, this match holds the 180 record for a 9 set match with 38 180's hit in the match, 16 of them from Mason, marking the second consecutive year that he had lost to the eventual champion in the semi-finals.
Mason's last appearance at Lakeside was a first round defeat to Mervyn King in 2001. He also reached the semi final of the BDO's other major tournament, the Winmau World Masters
Winmau World Masters
The Winmau World Masters is one of the longest running and most prestigious professional darts tournaments, which began in 1974 - even before the current World Professional Championship...
in 2000 and shortly after the BDO/PDC agreed Tomlin Order, some BDO players participated in the World Matchplay event between 1998 and 2001. Mason reached the 1998 semi-final losing 11–13 to Ronnie Baxter
Ronnie Baxter
Ronnie Baxter is an English darts player. He uses the nickname The Rocket for his matches. Baxter is known for his fast, robotic throwing action...
and the 1999 quarter-finals before losing 11–16 to Taylor. Mason also hit the perfect 9 dart game in the last 32 stage of the Winmau World Masters, watched by good friend Bobby George
Bobby George
Robert Francis George is an English darts player and presenter. He is widely recognised as one of the game's biggest personalities, known for his flamboyant entrances in which the "King of Darts" makes his way to the stage bedecked in jewellery, wearing a crown and cloak and holding a candelabra...
, who said "it was OK apart from the treble 19 wasn't quite in the middle".
PDC career
He decided to switch from the BDO to the Professional Darts CorporationProfessional Darts Corporation
The Professional Darts Corporation is a professional darts organization, established in the United Kingdom during 1992, when a group of leading professional players split from the British Darts Organisation to form what was initially called the World Darts Council...
(PDC) in time to play at the PDC World Championships again in 2002, but he lost in the first round to Dave Askew. He reached the quarter finals in 2003 – losing to eventual champion John Part
John Part
John Part is a Canadian professional darts player, who is nicknamed Darth Maple.Part is one of only five players in darts history to be a three time World Champion...
. He took time out from the game to deal with his personal issues and his enforced absence caused him to miss most tournaments in 2003 and 2004 – but he returned to play in the 2004 World Grand Prix
2004 World Grand Prix Darts
-Results:...
in October and reached the quarter-finals.
Mason has many titles to his name including the Irish Masters which WAS televised! and the Vauxhall Pro Open on 3 occasions although neither event was televised. Mason won the Irish Masters which was screened by Sky and also has lifted the Scottish Open and the English Open titles to his impressive résumé. Mason was Taylor's opposition at the 2002 World Matchplay
2002 World Matchplay Darts
The 2002 World Matchplay was a darts tournament held in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. Sponsored by UK bookmaker Stan James, the tournament ran from 28 July through 3 August 2002, and was won by Phil Taylor.-1st Round:...
when Taylor hit the first nine-dart finish
Nine dart finish
A nine-dart finish is the ultimate checkout in the game of darts, constituting a perfect game. It is notoriously difficult to achieve, even by the game's top professionals...
to be televised live on British screens.
Mason has reached the quarter-finals of most major PDC events, including the 2005 UK Open
2005 UK Open Darts
The 2005 Budweiser UK Open was the third year of the darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation. A massive field of 170 players were whittled down to just one in 48 hours of hectic competition at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton. Phil Taylor eventually took the trophy with a 13-7...
, 2006 Las Vegas Desert Classic
2006 Las Vegas Desert Classic
-2006 Prize Money:*Champion £15,000*Runner-up £7,500*Semi Finalists £5,000*Quarter Finalists £3,500*Second Round Losers £2,000*First Round Losers £1,350-First Round:Wednesday 28 June 2006First to six legs-Second Round:Thursday 29 June 2006...
and 2006 World Matchplay
2006 World Matchplay Darts
The 2006 Stan James World Matchplay was the 13th staging of the major darts tournament by the Professional Darts Corporation. It was held at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool between July 23 and July 29, 2006.-Prize money:...
.
Retirement
Whilst commentating on the 2010 Grand Slam of Darts2010 Grand Slam of Darts
The 2010 Grand Slam of Darts was the fourth staging of the darts tournament, the Grand Slam of Darts organised by the Professional Darts Corporation. The event took place from 13–21 November 2010 at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall. Television coverage of the tournament was covered by ITV Sport, with...
, on broadcaster ITV, Mason announced that he intended to retire from darts following the forthcoming qualifying rounds of the 2011 PDC World Championship
2011 PDC World Darts Championship
The 2011 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship was the 18th World Championship organised by the Professional Darts Corporation since it separated from the British Darts Organisation.Phil Taylor was the defending champion, having won the 2010 tournament...
, declaring that "even if I do qualify, which is unlikely, the World Championships will be my swansong". It was later announced by the PDC that he declined the opportunity of a Pro Tour Card
PDC Pro Tour
The PDC Pro Tour is a series of non-televised darts tournaments organised by the Professional Darts Corporation . They comprise Professional Dart Players Association Players Championships and UK Open Regional Finals.-Players Championships:...
for 2011, effectively confirming his decision – although he would be eligible to compete in qualifiers for Pro Tour event or switch to the BDO circuit
British Darts Organisation
The British Darts Organisation, or the BDO for short, is a darts organisation founded on 7 January 1973 by Olly Croft, OBE. The BDO is a founder member of the World Darts Federation which was formed in 1976....
instead. Chris has recently hinted that he may get back into darts but it would be a very professional job stating that he would begin to give 100% as he claimed he only gave 70% during his career.
Controversy
Mason's personal life has been under much scrutiny. Mason was convicted of assault and assault with intent to resist arrest in March 1990 and sentenced to 180 hours community service. This was followed by a three-month jail sentence suspended for 12 months for actual bodily harm and, in August 1993, by three years' probation for assault causing actual bodily harm.Prison sentence
On 14 April 2003, Mason and two friends Mark and Simon Gibson, were found guilty of aggravated burglary with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The victim of the attack, Poole scaffolder Neal Harley, was left with a broken nose, scalp cuts, facial swelling and bruising. The attack, which was sparked by a Yorkshire terrier dog named Doris which Mark Gibson had bought for Harley's fiancee Jane Graham while they were having a relationship some years earlier and had been "hostile" towards her new boyfriends. On 3 April 2002, Ms Graham had agreed to care for the dog but later returned it as it behaved too aggressively. Prosecutor, Mark Worsley, said that because of this Mark Gibson decided to confront Mr Harley and turned up that night with a hammer and his accomplices, saying: "Come on boys, let's do him". The Gibson brothers received five and six year sentences and Mason received a three-year sentence on 2 June 2003, but he served just over a year.2007 World Championship
Mason hit the headlines for criticising Phil Taylor in the newspapers before their last 16 match at the 2007 World Championship2007 PDC World Darts Championship
The 2007 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship was the 14th World Championship organised by the Professional Darts Corporation since it separated from the British Darts Organisation. The tournament began on Monday 18 December 2006 and the final was played on Monday 1 January 2007...
and allegedly swearing at him during the post-match handshake on-stage after Taylor beat him 4–0. He did apologise to Taylor after the tournament ended, but received a £750 fine and a four-month ban (suspended for 12 months) from the Darts Regulation Authority.
Benefit fraud
In June 2010, he was given a community order at Newcastle Magistrates Court for benefit fraud charges after he admitted to not declaring £45,000 of winnings between 2006 and 2007 while claiming benefits. He had been arrested whilst preparing to compete at the UK Open televised tournament.Television Pundit
In 2007, Mason became one of ITV's pundits, along with the 1993 world finalist Alan Warriner-LittleAlan Warriner-Little
Alan Warriner-Little is an English professional darts player. He currently lives in Crosby, Cumbria and plays with the nickname The Iceman...
for the inaugural Grand Slam of Darts
Grand Slam of Darts
The Grand Slam of Darts is a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation and is known as the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts for sponsorship purposes. The PDC also invites the best performing players from its rival the British Darts Organisation...
. It was ITV's return to broadcasting darts after an absence of almost two decades. He remained a feature of their coverage as a match summariser and co-commentator during ITV's coverage of the next three Grand Slam of Darts, the first European Championship
European Championship (darts)
The European Championship is a PDC darts tournament which allows the top European players to compete with the highest ranked players from the PDC Order of Merit. The tournament takes place in late July to early August and features a field of 32...
and the first two Players Championship Finals
Players Championship Finals
The Players Championship Finals is a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation...
.
World Championship Performances
- 1996 (BDO) Last 32 lost to Andy FordhamAndy FordhamAndy "The Viking" Fordham is an English darts player. He won the 2004 BDO World Darts Championship, beating Mervyn King in the final...
0–3 - 1997 (PDC) Eliminated in group stages
- 1998 (BDO) Last 16 lost to Peter JohnstonePeter JohnstonePeter Johnstone was the governor of Anguilla from 4 February 2000 until 29 April 2004.-External links:*...
0–3 - 1999 (BDO) Semi-final lost to Raymond van BarneveldRaymond van BarneveldRaymond van Barneveld , nickname Barney is a professional darts player. He is a five time World Darts Champion, and two time UK Open Champion. From January to June 2008, he was the PDC world number one ranked player...
2–5 - 2000 (BDO) Semi-final lost to Ted HankeyTed HankeyEdward "Ted" Hankey is an English darts player who is a two-time BDO World Professional Darts Champion. His nickname is The Count and his walk on music is Be On Your Way by DJ Zany. Hankey built up a large following due to his obsession with and resemblance to Dracula...
4–5 - 2001 (BDO) Last 32 lost to Mervyn King 2–3
- 2002 (PDC) Last 32 lost to Dave AskewDave AskewDave Askew is an English darts player who competes in the Professional Darts Corporation. Askew is a twice semi-finalist in the PDC World Championship, both in 2001 and 2002 and on both occasions losing to eventual winner Phil Taylor.- Overview :Askew began competing in major tournaments in the...
3–4 - 2003 (PDC) Quarter final lost to John PartJohn PartJohn Part is a Canadian professional darts player, who is nicknamed Darth Maple.Part is one of only five players in darts history to be a three time World Champion...
0-5 - 2004 Did not enter
- 2005 (PDC) Last 16 lost to Colin LloydColin LloydColin Lloyd , nicknamed Jaws, is an English professional darts player on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit. He is a former world number one ranked player and he has won two major television titles in the PDC - the 2004 World Grand Prix and 2005 World Matchplay...
3–4 - 2006 (PDC) Last 32 lost to John Part 3-4
- 2007 (PDC) Last 16 lost to Phil Taylor 0–4
- 2008 (PDC) Last 32 lost to Kevin PainterKevin PainterKevin Painter is an English professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation tournaments, where he is known as "The Artist"...
0–4 - 2009 (PDC) Last 64 lost to John MagowanJohn MaGowanJohn MaGowan is a Northern Irish darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events. He is nicknamed Mr. Magoo.-BDO career:...
0–3 - 2010 (PDC) Did not qualify
- 2011 (PDC) Did not qualify
Personal life
Mason took the decision to move from KilkennyKilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
to Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent , also called The Potteries is a city in Staffordshire, England, which forms a linear conurbation almost 12 miles long, with an area of . Together with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke forms The Potteries Urban Area...
late in 2006. A few top players had made Stoke their home and Mason made the move partly so he could practice with Andy Hamilton
Andy Hamilton (darts player)
Andy Hamilton is a full time professional English darts player widely known for his "aggressive" style of play. He is nicknamed The Hammer and is currently ranked 12th on the PDC Order of Merit....
. However, shortly after the World Championship Hamilton switched to practising with Taylor – who broke off from mentoring Adrian Lewis
Adrian Lewis
Adrian Lewis is an English professional darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation who is the reigning PDC World Darts Champion...
. He currently resides in Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
.
He is married to Lorna and has three children.