The DPNZ Pro Tour 2026 concluded with a thrilling finale! Despite a nail-biting scare, Ben Robb successfully clinched his coveted spot at the PDC World Championship, marking his sixth appearance at the prestigious ‘Ally Pally’. Meanwhile, Haupai Puha delivered a spectacular performance, securing back-to-back titles in the final weekend. His crucial victory on Saturday not only helped Robb but also gave Puha a significant head start for the 2027 World Championship rankings.
A Nail-Biting Finish for Ben Robb
Ben Robb, affectionately known as ‘Big Rig’, entered the final weekend of the DPNZ Pro Tour 2026 with a seemingly unassailable lead. Having won five of the previous ten tournaments, a return to the PDC World Championship (affectionately known as ‘Ally Pally’) appeared a mere formality. He only needed to reach the Last 16 once, while his closest rival, Jonny Tata, would have to win both weekend titles to stand a chance.
However, the darts gods had other plans, injecting a dramatic twist into the proceedings. On Saturday, Robb suffered a surprising early exit, losing 4-2 in the Last 32 to Josh Roberts. This opened the door for Tata, who seized the opportunity and battled his way to the final, even taking a commanding 6-5 lead in the championship match.
The Decisive Saturday Showdown: Puha’s Timely Intervention
Just as Jonny Tata seemed poised to claim his first title and keep the pressure on Robb, **Haupai Puha stepped up to play the role of spoiler and hero.** With nerves of steel, Puha mounted a stunning comeback, sealing the match with two clinical legs in 15 and 14 darts respectively. This dramatic turnaround secured Puha his first title of the year and, more importantly for Robb, ensured ‘Big Rig’s’ qualification for his sixth appearance on the grand stage in London this December.
Haupai Puha’s Dominant Double
Having tasted victory on Saturday, Haupai Puha was unstoppable. The former tour card holder carried his momentum into Sunday’s event, once again proving to be the strongest player on the day. In a repeat of the previous day’s final, **Puha faced Jonny Tata for the second time, and once again emerged victorious.** This time, the drama was heightened as Tata agonizingly missed multiple match darts, allowing Puha to capitalize and claim his second title of the weekend.
Looking Ahead: Puha’s Early Advantage for 2027
While this double triumph didn’t secure a World Championship ticket for Puha this year, it has set him up brilliantly for the future. The DPNZ has made a strategic decision: **the two tournaments from this climactic weekend will also count towards the ranking for the 2027 World Championship.** This means Puha has already built a significant foundation for his next qualification campaign, starting the new season with a strong lead.
DPNZ Pro Tour 2026 Final Weekend Results
DPNZ Pro Tour 11 – Saturday’s Action
- Quarter-Finals:
- Josh Roberts 5-3 Craig Pullen
- Haupai Puha 5-3 Haunui Hira
- Jonny Tata 5-3 Dean Reyland
- Mark Cleaver 5-0 Jaymie Hilton-Jones
- Semi-Finals:
- Haupai Puha 6-0 Josh Roberts
- Jonny Tata 6-1 Mark Cleaver
- Final: Haupai Puha def. Jonny Tata
DPNZ Pro Tour 12 – Sunday’s Triumph
- Quarter-Finals:
- Ben Robb 5-0 Josh Roberts
- Haupai Puha 5-3 Clinton Julies
- Jonny Tata 5-1 John Hurring
- Mark Cleaver 5-2 Dean Reyland
- Semi-Finals:
- Haupai Puha 6-5 Ben Robb
- Jonny Tata 6-2 Mark Cleaver
- Final: Haupai Puha def. Jonny Tata
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
