The Australian Darts Masters has quickly become a highly anticipated event on the World Series calendar, delivering thrilling action and surprising upsets. In its first two editions, Welsh powerhouse Gerwyn Price claimed the title in 2024 with a dominant performance, while teenage sensation Luke Littler secured his first World Series trophy in 2025, showcasing his meteoric rise. Local talent Damon Heta consistently impressed, keeping Australian hopes alive amidst clashes between the sport’s biggest names.
The 2024 Australian Darts Masters: Price’s Dominance
The 2024 tournament kicked off with local hero Damon Heta being the sole Australian to reach the quarter-finals, achieving a convincing whitewash victory over regional qualifier John Hurring. Most seeded players progressed comfortably, with the exception of Rob Cross, who faced a tough challenge and narrowly defeated Haupai Puha in a thrilling last-leg decider.
Quarter-Final Thrills
The quarter-finals were packed with high-quality darts:
- Dimitri Van Den Bergh caused a major upset by eliminating World Number One Luke Humphries with a superb 103.19 average, securing a 6-2 win.
- 17-year-old sensation Luke Littler continued his impressive form, averaging an outstanding 104.03 in his 6-4 victory over Michael Smith.
- Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright both delivered solid performances to defeat Damon Heta and Rob Cross respectively.
Semi-Final Showdowns
Both semi-final matches went the full distance, showcasing incredible tension and skill:
- Luke Littler edged out Dimitri Van Den Bergh with an astonishing average of nearly 105.
- Gerwyn Price, known as “The Iceman,” put in a strong 99.34 average to narrowly defeat Peter Wright.
The Grand Final: Price Crowned Champion
The final, pitting the rising star Luke Littler against the experienced Gerwyn Price, surprisingly turned into a one-sided affair. Price raced into a commanding 5-0 lead before the first break, with Littler managing to win only one leg. Price quickly wrapped up the match, securing an 8-1 victory. He finished with an impressive 99.42 average and a clinical 53% success rate on his doubles, significantly outperforming Littler’s 8% on doubles. This triumph marked Price’s second World Series title of the year, following an earlier win in Denmark.
The 2025 Australian Darts Masters: Littler’s Breakthrough
The following year saw another exciting tournament, culminating in Luke Littler securing his first World Series title of 2025. His superb weekend ended with an 8-4 victory over Belgium’s Mike De Decker in the final.
Early Rounds and Key Encounters
Once again, Damon Heta was the sole Australian to progress from the first round, achieving another whitewash against fellow countryman James Bailey. Littler faced a stern test early on, being pushed to a last-leg decider by Haupai Puha before advancing to face Heta.
In a highly anticipated match, “The Nuke” Luke Littler delivered a comfortable 6-3 win against Damon Heta, averaging an impressive 102.84. Meanwhile, reigning champion Gerwyn Price was surprisingly sent home after an excellent display from Chris Dobey. Other notable results included Mike De Decker whitewashing Luke Humphries, who was reportedly playing through illness, and Stephen Bunting also securing a whitewash against Josh Rock despite a lower average.
Semi-Final Showdowns
The semi-finals set the stage for a compelling final:
- Luke Littler dispatched Stephen Bunting with a solid 98.86 average, securing a 7-4 victory.
- Mike De Decker matched that scoreline, beating Chris Dobey 7-4, to reach his first-ever World Series final.
The Grand Final: Littler Claims His First Title
The final between Luke Littler and Mike De Decker, who was making his debut in a World Series event final, seemed finely poised. However, De Decker didn’t quite perform to his potential, averaging just under 90. “The Nuke” was in control throughout the match, eventually securing an 8-4 win with a strong 99.84 average. This victory marked Littler’s third World Series win at that point in his burgeoning career. The teenager continued his incredible run just a week later, winning the New Zealand Darts Masters by averaging a staggering 115 in the final against Luke Humphries.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
