The race for a coveted spot at the PDC World Darts Championship has officially begun in Australia! Over the opening weekend of the new ADA Tour, Raymond Smith and Brody Klinge emerged as the dominant forces, each securing two titles. Klinge kicked off the tour with back-to-back victories, showcasing impressive form. Not to be outdone, Smith made his mark with two wins of his own, including a spectacular 9-darter, setting a high bar for the season ahead.
The New Road to the PDC World Championship
The Australian darts scene is buzzing with a fresh approach to qualifying for the sport’s biggest stage: the PDC World Darts Championship. This year marks the debut of the ADA Tour, a brand-new circuit replacing the previous DPA Pro Tour. A total of 24 tournaments will be held throughout the season, with the ultimate prize being a coveted ticket to the PDC World Championship in London.
The inaugural weekend, held in a Perth suburb, saw 128 Australian darters eager to make their mark. Unlike last year, when only 12 tournaments were contested, this expanded schedule promises a more rigorous and exciting path to glory. Last year’s champion, Tim Pusey, found himself in seventh place after the first four events, highlighting the intense competition from the outset.
Brody Klinge’s Dominant Start
Melbourne’s own Brody Klinge was the undisputed star of the first two tournaments. Kicking off the season in spectacular fashion, Klinge secured two consecutive titles. His path to victory was paved with an impressive 12 straight match wins, demonstrating remarkable consistency and skill. Throughout these early triumphs, Klinge consistently posted averages well over 90, signaling his strong intent for the season.
Raymond Smith’s Spectacular Response
The momentum shifted on Saturday afternoon when Klinge suffered his first defeat. In the third tournament of the year, he reached the semi-finals but was decisively beaten 6-0 by Raymond “The Guru” Smith. Smith not only delivered a dominant performance with an astonishing 103.66 average but also provided the absolute highlight of the weekend: a perfect 9-darter in the fourth leg of that very match. This rare feat immediately etched his name into the tour’s history books.
Smith continued his winning streak, triumphing 6-2 over Anthony Shreeve in the final of the third event. His dominance extended into Sunday, where he secured another title. The fourth tournament switched to a set format, a challenge Smith embraced with excellence. Despite a tough quarter-final battle against Jamie Rundle, which he won 2-1, Smith then cruised through his final two matches of the day with identical results, showcasing his adaptability and composure under pressure.
Weekend Highlights and Key Standings
The opening weekend of the ADA Tour delivered thrilling darts and set the stage for an exciting season. After the first four events out of 24, Raymond Smith and Brody Klinge are neck and neck at the top of the leaderboard, each with two titles to their name. Michael Bajowski also made a commendable debut, securing third place in the early standings.
The semi-final results from the weekend’s tournaments included:
- ADA Tour 1: James Bailey (6-4) Tim Pusey, Brody Klinge (6-1) Michael Bajowski
- ADA Tour 2: Brody Klinge (6-1) Raymond Smith, Darren Penhall (6-1) Joe Comito
- ADA Tour 3: Raymond Smith (6-0) Brody Klinge, Anthony Shreeve (6-3) Darcy Crane
- ADA Tour 4: Michael Bajowski (2-1) Harley Kemp, Raymond Smith (2-1) Howard Jones
With 20 more tournaments to go, the battle for the PDC World Championship spot is just heating up, promising more drama and high-quality darts from Down Under.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
