REIGNING Dutch Darts Masters champion Simon Whitlock remains on course to retain the European Tour title in Veldhoven after winning through to the quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon, alongside Dutch favourite Michael van Gerwen and in-form stars Peter Wright and Kim Huybrechts.
Australian ace Whitlock overcame Andy Hamilton 6-2 with a strong performance as he set up a quarter-final on Sunday night with Jamie Caven, as the remaining eight players compete to take the £20,000 first prize.
The Australian took out 120 and also had six perfect darts of a possible nine-darter as he moved into a 4-1 lead against Hamilton, who took out 72 to reply but was unable to prevent Whitlock's progression to the last eight.
Caven secured his place in the last eight with a 6-4 victory over Swindon's Mark Cox in the third round, while world number two van Gerwen swept aside Michael Barnard with a 6-1 triumph.
The Dutch favourite will now play Wes Newton in the quarter-finals, after the Fleetwood ace hit a third successive ton-plus average of the event in his 6-4 win over Mervyn King.
The in-form duo of Belgium's Kim Huybrechts and Scottish ace Peter Wright were also 6-4 winners, against Michael Mansell and Ronnie Baxter respectively, as they set up a tantalising quarter-final clash.
Finland's Jarkko Komula secured himself both a quarter-final place - his first-ever on the PDC ProTour - and a qualifying place in the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with a fine 6-4 victory against world number five James Wade.
Komula now plays Brendan Dolan, who progressed to the last eight with a 6-2 victory over youngster David Pallett.
The £100,000 tournament will conclude on Sunday night, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final to be held in one session at the NH Hotel Koningshof, streamed free and live through www.youtube.com/OfficialPDC.
ALL GAMES WILL BE STREAMED FREE LIVE ONLINE THROUGH THE OFFICIALPDC YOUTUBE CHANNEL - www.youtube.com/OfficialPDC.
* We are advised that Live Streaming is not available in Germany, due to YouTube regulations.
If you can't watch live, follow live scores through the PDC Live Scores website at http://live.dartsdata.com.
All games are the best of 11 legs throughout the event.
Dutch Darts Masters - European Tour Event Eight
October 25-27, NH Hotel Koningshof
Sunday October 27
Third Round
Afternoon Session
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Michael Barnard
Wes Newton 6-4 Mervyn King
Michael Mansell 4-6 Kim Huybrechts
Peter Wright 6-4 Ronnie Baxter
David Pallett 2-6 Brendan Dolan
James Wade 4-6 Jarkko Komula
Jamie Caven 6-4 Mark Cox
Simon Whitlock 6-2 Andy Hamilton
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Wes Newton
Kim Huybrechts v Peter Wright
Brendan Dolan v Jarkko Komula
Jamie Caven v Simon Whitlock
Semi-Finals
Final
All games Best of 11 legs. Sunday's games in draw bracket order.
Third Round Match Stats
| Ave | 180s | Ave | 180s | |||
| 95.97 | 3 | Michael van Gerwen | 6-1 | Michael Barnard | 81.99 | 0 |
| 100.08 | 4 | Wes Newton | 6-4 | Mervyn King | 90.02 | 1 |
| 97.47 | 2 | Michael Mansell | 4-6 | Kim Huybrechts | 100.64 | 3 |
| 92.63 | 5 | Peter Wright | 6-4 | Ronnie Baxter | 88.03 | 3 |
| 85.18 | 0 | David Pallett | 2-6 | Brendan Dolan | 85.78 | 2 |
| 89.77 | 4 | James Wade | 4-6 | Jarkko Komula | 90.24 | 2 |
| 82.42 | 1 | Jamie Caven | 6-4 | Mark Cox | 75.73 | 0 |
| 96.35 | 3 | Simon Whitlock | 6-2 | Andy Hamilton | 90.46 | 1 |