Australian Darts Masters Kicks Off with Thrills and Upsets
The opening day of the 2026 Australian Darts Masters delivered an electrifying start, highlighted by local hero Brody Klinge’s stunning upset over world-renowned Ross Smith. Meanwhile, darts legend James Wade stole the show with a near-record-breaking performance, showcasing incredible skill. Other top players like Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price, and Damon Heta also secured their spots in the quarter-finals, setting the stage for a blockbuster finals night.
Klinge’s Unforgettable Upset Against Ross Smith
The biggest shock of the night came from Australian qualifier Brody Klinge, who delivered the performance of his career to defeat the formidable Ross Smith. In a nail-biting encounter that went down to the final leg, Klinge, the only Oceanic player to advance, secured an 11-dart break of throw – a highly efficient way to win a leg – to seal his victory.
- Smith, despite hitting eight maximum 180s, was punished for missing crucial match darts in the deciding leg.
- Klinge expressed his elation: “I’m over the moon with that. That was the adrenaline rush of my life… I felt a lot more comfortable playing this time around and it showed in my performance I think.”
- This monumental win earns Klinge a quarter-final clash against top seed and world number three, Gian van Veen.
James Wade’s Masterclass: A Near-Record Performance
While Klinge provided the upset, James Wade delivered a dazzling display of darts mastery. Wade demolished Tim Pusey with a 6-0 whitewash, achieving an incredible 112.73 average. This average stands as the second-highest ever recorded at a World Series of Darts event in Australia, showcasing his exceptional form.
- Wade capped off his flawless victory with a spectacular 164 checkout on the bullseye, leaving the crowd in awe.
- A modest Wade commented, “That felt amazing. Everything just fell into my hands there… I think I’m guilty of sometimes forgetting how lucky I am to do what I do, but I’m just happy to be here and I’m playing alright.”
- He will face Stephen Bunting in what promises to be a thrilling quarter-final.
Other Key Victories and Quarter-Finalists
The first day saw several other top talents secure their passage to the next round:
- Gian van Veen showcased his class with a remarkable 161 checkout to defeat Raymond Smith 6-3.
- Stephen Bunting returned to winning ways, overcoming Mal Cuming 6-3 after a brief scare.
- Home favourite Damon Heta impressed with a 102.39 average and 55% checkout rate in his 6-2 win over Joe Comito. He now faces last week’s winner, Jonny Clayton, who battled to a 6-3 victory over Ben Robb.
- World champion Gerwyn Price demonstrated his comeback prowess, reeling off four consecutive legs and hitting back-to-back 124 and 108 checkouts to defeat Australian icon Simon Whitlock 6-2.
- Josh Rock also staged a comeback, overturning a 3-2 deficit against Adam Leek with four straight legs, including two 100+ checkouts, to advance.
Looking Ahead: Finals Night Schedule
The 2026 Australian Darts Masters culminates on Saturday with the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the grand final, all taking place at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong.
Saturday, August 22 (Quarter-Finals)
The matches are played as ‘best of 11 legs’, meaning the first player to win six legs advances.
- Gerwyn Price vs Josh Rock
- James Wade vs Stephen Bunting
- Gian van Veen vs Brody Klinge
- Jonny Clayton vs Damon Heta
Semi-Finals
Played as ‘best of 13 legs’, requiring seven leg wins to progress.
- Winner of Price/Rock vs Winner of Wade/Bunting
- Winner of Van Veen/Klinge vs Winner of Clayton/Heta
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
