In a captivating display of darts mastery, veteran James Wade, known as “The Machine,” secured his first-ever World Series of Darts title at the KenoGO Australian Darts Masters. He triumphed over local sensation Brody Klinge with an 8-5 victory in a high-quality final. Wade’s journey included a remarkable comeback from 5-2 down in the quarter-finals and a dominant semi-final win against reigning champion Gerwyn Price. Klinge, an Australian qualifier, captivated the home crowd with an incredible fairytale run, defeating top players and showcasing immense potential, but ultimately, Wade’s experience and clinical finishing shone through.
Wade’s Clinical Path to Glory
James Wade’s victory on Saturday marked a significant milestone in his illustrious career. “The Machine” delivered a series of clinical and consistent performances throughout the final day of the last regular World Series event of 2026. In the best-of-15 final against Brody Klinge, Wade averaged an impressive 101.62. Despite Klinge posting an even higher average of 104.56, Wade’s ability to convert his scoring into crucial finishes proved decisive.
A Journey of Resilience:
- Quarter-Final Comeback: Wade faced a tough challenge against Stephen Bunting, finding himself 5-2 down. Demonstrating incredible resilience, he survived a match dart and executed a stunning 164 checkout to break Bunting’s throw in the deciding leg, ultimately winning 6-5.
- Dominant Semi-Final: He then dismantled the 2024 champion, Gerwyn Price, with a convincing 7-4 win. Wade fired in eight 180s and maintained an average of 101.27, showcasing his top form.
Brody Klinge’s Fairytale Run Captivates Down Under
On the other side of the draw, Australian qualifier Brody Klinge became the breakout star of the tournament, embarking on a truly memorable “fairytale run.” As an ADA standout, Klinge consistently defied expectations and thrilled the home crowd in Wollongong.
Klinge’s Giant-Slaying Performances:
- Stunning Debut: Klinge began by shocking Ross Smith with a narrow 6-5 victory in the first round.
- Eliminating Top Talent: He continued his impressive form by eliminating world number two Gian van Veen with a decisive 6-4 win in the quarter-finals, averaging 97.90.
- Ending a Champion’s Hopes: In the semi-finals, Klinge ended Jonny Clayton’s hopes of winning back-to-back titles (after Clayton’s success in New Zealand). Klinge secured a 7-5 win, sealed dramatically with a spectacular 170 checkout, while averaging 101.59.
Klinge’s deep run as the sole Oceanic survivor provided immense excitement for the local fans, proving that emerging talent can indeed challenge the sport’s established stars.
Tournament Highlights and What’s Next
Beyond the final, the KenoGO Australian Darts Masters delivered an entertaining weekend of darts. Other notable quarter-final results included Gerwyn Price easing past Josh Rock 6-2 and Jonny Clayton overcoming Damon Heta 6-3. Wade himself started the tournament in spectacular fashion on Friday, achieving a stunning 112.73 average whitewash against Tim Pusey, setting the tone for his consistent performance throughout.
This victory marks Wade’s first World Series title, a significant achievement after several previous final appearances, including a defeat to Jonny Clayton at the 2022 New South Wales Darts Masters. It serves as a fitting climax to an intriguing summer spell of darts Down Under, once again highlighting the potential for local and regional representatives to challenge PDC stars on the global stage.
The World Series of Darts now shifts its focus to the highly anticipated finals in Amsterdam, scheduled for September, where the best players will once again battle for glory.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
