The NZ Darts Masters in Auckland kicked off with a bang, seeing an unexpected surge from Australian players. A formidable trio – Raymond Smith, Adam Leek, and Damon Heta – all powered their way into the quarter-finals, setting the stage for an exciting tournament. Raymond Smith delivered a stunning performance to overcome Stephen Bunting, while Adam Leek pulled off a dramatic decider victory against Ross Smith. Damon Heta also fought hard to secure his spot. Top seeds Gerwyn Price and Gian van Veen, however, advanced with relative ease, maintaining their strong form.
First Round Highlights: Australian Power and Close Calls
The opening day of the NZ Darts Masters delivered plenty of drama and high-quality darts. Three Australian players particularly shone, securing their places in the quarter-finals against tough competition.
Australian Triumphs
- Raymond Smith’s Masterclass: “The Guru” put on a spectacular display, dispatching Stephen Bunting 6-2. Smith started strong with a 12-dart leg (meaning he finished the leg in just 12 throws) and never looked back, securing his victory with a magnificent 124 bull finish (hitting the bullseye to complete a 124 checkout). His average of 99.81 demonstrated his impressive form.
- Adam Leek’s Decider Thriller: In a shock upset, Australian Tour Card holder Adam Leek edged out Ross Smith in a nail-biting deciding leg. After trading holds (each player winning a leg on their own throw), Leek secured three consecutive legs to turn the tide. Ross Smith then incredibly missed six match darts in the decider, allowing Leek to seize the win.
- Damon Heta’s Resilient Comeback: “The Heat” had a rocky start against Ben Robb, falling 1-4 behind with two early breaks (winning a leg when your opponent started it). However, Heta dramatically raised his game, firing in 12 and 11-dart legs to level the score. He then sealed his 6-4 victory with a crucial 105 finish and an 18-dart leg.
Top Seeds Advance Smoothly
- Gian van Veen’s Dominance: Making his debut as the world number two, “The Giant” Gian van Veen showed why he’s a top contender, cruising past Jonny Tata 6-1. He quickly established a lead with 17 and 15-dart legs, turning the match into a one-sided affair after Tata secured his sole leg.
- Gerwyn Price’s Solid Start: “The Iceman” Gerwyn Price also made light work of his first-round opponent, Mark Cleaver, securing a comfortable 6-1 win. Price kicked off with a 120 checkout (finishing a score of 120) and quickly built a 4-0 lead. Cleaver avoided a whitewash (a 6-0 defeat) with a 101 finish, but Price closed out the match efficiently.
Other Noteworthy Matches
- Josh Rock Overcomes Simon Whitlock: Wildcard entrant Simon Whitlock, “The Wizard,” faced a tough challenge against Josh Rock and ultimately fell 6-4. Rock secured an early break, including a brilliant 10-darter, and despite Whitlock fighting back to 4-4 and having chances in the decider (missing six match darts), Rock held his nerve to advance.
- Jonny Clayton’s Close Call: Jonny Clayton endured a tight contest against local favourite Haupai Puha. Despite Puha grabbing an early break and holding a 4-2 lead, Clayton fought back, winning three consecutive legs. “The Ferret” eventually clinched the decider on double 16.
- James Wade’s Whitewash: James Wade marched effortlessly into the quarter-finals with a dominant 6-0 whitewash over Kayden Milne. Milne struggled significantly, averaging a meager 68 and failing to register a single dart at a double, allowing “The Machine” to finish the match swiftly.
Quarter-Finals Line-Up: Who Will Prevail?
The stage is set for an exciting day of quarter-final action on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Here’s how the matches stack up:
- Gian van Veen vs. Jonny Clayton
- James Wade vs. Josh Rock
- Gerwyn Price vs. Damon Heta
- Raymond Smith vs. Adam Leek
These matches promise high stakes as players battle for a spot in the semi-finals and ultimately, the final.
Tournament Format and Prize Money
The NZ Darts Masters is an integral part of the World Series of Darts, offering both prize money and crucial ranking points. The tournament structure is as follows:
- First Round & Quarter-Finals: Best of 11 Legs (first to win 6 legs)
- Semi-Finals: Best of 13 Legs (first to win 7 legs)
- Final: Best of 15 Legs (first to win 8 legs)
A total prize fund of £100,000 is on offer for each World Series event, distributed as follows:
- Winner: £30,000 (12 ranking points)
- Runner-Up: £16,000 (8 ranking points)
- Semi-Finalists: £10,000 (5 ranking points)
- Quarter-Finalists: £5,000 (3 ranking points)
- First Round Losers: £1,750 (1 ranking point)
These ranking points are vital for qualifying for the prestigious World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. It’s important to note that this prize money does not count towards the PDC Order of Merit (World Rankings).
Photo Credit: Sebastian Doppstadt (PDC Europe)
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
