The penultimate weekend of the 2026 Australian Darts Association (ADA) Tour proved to be a pivotal moment, with Brody Klinge stealing the spotlight by claiming two significant titles. His exceptional performance propelled him to the top of the ADA Order of Merit, solidifying his position as a frontrunner for the World Championships. This crucial New South Wales stop also finalized the roster for the inaugural Trans-Tasman Championship, where 16 Australian players will battle for a coveted spot at Alexandra Palace. Alongside Klinge’s dominance, Tim Pusey and Michael Bajowski also secured impressive victories, adding thrilling twists to the race for the ANZ Premier League and other prestigious events.
A Weekend of High Stakes and World Championship Dreams
As the 2026 Australian Darts Association Tour approached its climax, players converged in New South Wales for a high-stakes weekend. With only one more stop remaining, the pressure was immense for those vying for spots in major tournaments like the World Championships and the ANZ Premier League. Beyond these, the weekend also served as the final qualifying stage for the brand-new Trans-Tasman Championship.
This exciting new event, set for late August, will see the top 16 Australian players face off against their top 16 New Zealand counterparts. The ultimate prize? Not just the Trans-Tasman title, but a direct entry into the World Championships at Alexandra Palace. This made the New South Wales events particularly critical for players hovering around the 16th rank, battling for their last chance to qualify.
Friday Night Thriller: Klinge’s First Triumph
The action kicked off on Friday night with the first event. Early upsets saw established names like James Bailey and Jeremy Fagg surprisingly exit in the Last 32. However, the biggest shock came when darts veteran Raymond Smith was defeated by his own son, Ky Smith, in a deciding leg during the Last 16.
The night belonged to Brody Klinge, who delivered an incredibly impressive performance. With an event average of 95.01 and consistent 2+ averages throughout the day, Klinge secured his seventh title of the season on the ADA Tour. This victory was monumental, as it allowed him to leapfrog Raymond Smith and claim the coveted top spot on the Order of Merit.
Klinge’s standout moment included an incredible 105.07 average in his Last 16 win against Puna Ben. In the Quarter-Finals, Ky Smith defeated Stephen Schmitt 6-4, Joe Comito beat Howard Jones 6-3, Brody Klinge overcame Stuart Coburn 6-4, and Bailey Marsh edged past Tim Pusey 6-4. The Semi-Finals saw Joe Comito dominate Ky Smith 6-0, while Brody Klinge mirrored that performance with a 6-0 victory over Bailey Marsh, setting up his eventual win.
Saturday’s Double Header: Upsets and New Champions
Event 18: Klinge’s Early Exit and Pusey’s Fourth Title
Saturday morning’s Event 18 started with a major surprise: top seed Brody Klinge suffered an unexpected first-round exit, losing 6-5 to the rapidly improving Seamus Lynch. This opened the door for other contenders.
Despite a strong Quarter-Final lineup where Raymond Smith was widely considered the favorite, he was ultimately defeated by a confident Tim Pusey in the Semi-Finals. Pusey went on to claim his fourth title of the season. This win, while not placing him among the top two, significantly boosts his chances of qualifying for the ANZ Premier League for the second consecutive year. Raymond Smith still delivered the performance of the event, boasting an incredible 103.66 average in his 6-0 Quarter-Final win over Michael Bajowski.
The Quarter-Finals saw Michael Cassar defeat Robbie King 6-4, Joe Comito beat Matt Dorotich 6-2, Raymond Smith dominate Michael Bajowski 6-0, and Tim Pusey overcome Bill Aitken 6-3. In the Semi-Finals, Joe Comito beat Michael Cassar 6-1, and Tim Pusey defeated Raymond Smith 6-5 in a close encounter.
Event 19: Bajowski Claims His First Tour Title
The second event on Saturday brought more drama. Joe Comito, fresh from back-to-back finals appearances, had an early exit in the Last 16, losing to Robbie King. Raymond Smith also fell unexpectedly in the Last 32 to debutant Zinzan Culshaw.
Brody Klinge, despite being a strong favorite in the Semi-Finals, agonizingly missed several match darts before losing 6-5 to Michael Bajowski. This set up an exciting final between Bajowski and Jeremy Fagg, with neither player having previously won a title on the ADA Tour. Ultimately, Michael Bajowski held off a late comeback from Fagg to secure his very first title on a PDC affiliate tour, winning 6-4. This victory firmly puts Bajowski in contention for an ANZ Premier League spot.
Quarter-Final results included Jeremy Fagg beating Michael Cassar 6-5, Robbie King defeating Carl Caton 6-5, Brody Klinge overcoming Seamus Lynch 6-3, and Michael Bajowski beating Tim Pusey 6-2. In the Semi-Finals, Jeremy Fagg delivered a dominant 6-0 win over Robbie King, while Michael Bajowski triumphed in a nail-biting 6-5 match against Brody Klinge.
Sunday’s Grand Finale: Klinge Completes the Double
The weekend concluded with a set-play event on Sunday, a format change that often brings out different strengths in players. Many delivered stellar performances, including Mal Cuming with a 104.02 average in the Last 16, and 100+ averages from Klinge, Pusey, and Raymond Smith.
The Semi-Finals featured all four top players from the 2026 ADA Tour, each averaging over 90, showcasing the high level of competition. In the end, Brody Klinge once again emerged victorious, claiming his eighth title of the year. This incredible win, representing a nearly 50% hit rate on the tour, significantly widened the gap between him and Raymond Smith in the crucial race for a World Championship spot at Alexandra Palace, heading into the final weekend.
Quarter-Final results saw Brody Klinge defeat Stuart Coburn 2-0, Joe Comito beat Harley Kemp 2-0, Raymond Smith overcome Mal Cuming 2-1, and Tim Pusey defeat Jeremy Fagg 2-0. In the Semi-Finals, Brody Klinge beat Joe Comito 2-0, and Tim Pusey defeated Raymond Smith 2-1 in another tightly contested match.
Trans-Tasman Championship Qualifiers Confirmed
This pivotal weekend officially confirmed the 16 Australian players who will compete in the inaugural Trans-Tasman Championship at the end of August, all with their eyes on a World Championship berth:
- Brody Klinge
- Raymond Smith
- Tim Pusey
- Joe Comito
- Michael Bajowski
- Jeremy Fagg
- Mal Cuming
- James Bailey
- Stuart Coburn
- Jamie Rundle
- Harley Kemp
- Howard Jones
- Darcy Crane
- Anthony Shreeve
- Puna Ben
- Michael Cassar
(Note: Darren Penhall would have qualified but withdrew due to a shoulder injury.)
The Final Showdown Awaits
The stage is now set for the final weekend of ADA Tour action, which will take place in Southern Australia in September. Players will face their ultimate test, battling not only for the remaining spots at Alexandra Palace but also for the four coveted places in the ANZ Premier League, which is scheduled to commence at the end of September. The excitement is palpable as the tour heads towards its thrilling conclusion.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
