Tim Pusey delivered a masterclass performance at the Australian Darts Association (ADA) Tour’s Victoria weekend, securing an incredible three out of four ranking titles. This dominant display firmly cemented his status as a premier player in Australian darts. The weekend also saw local hero Stuart Coburn achieve a rare nine-dart finish, adding another layer of excitement to an unforgettable tournament. For anyone seeking to understand the current landscape of Australian darts, Pusey’s treble victory is a clear indicator of who to watch.
Pusey’s Unstoppable Start: Friday’s Dominance
The Perth sensation, Tim Pusey, kicked off the weekend in spectacular fashion by clinching Friday’s opening tournament. After a nail-biting semi-final against Joe Comito, which went down to the deciding leg, Pusey showcased his composure. He then faced Brody Klinge in the final, securing a convincing 6-4 victory. This win marked his fourth ADA ranking title and set the tone for the rest of his dominant run.
Saturday’s Double Triumph and a Near Sweep
Back-to-Back Wins
Pusey carried his formidable momentum into Saturday’s first event, maintaining his exceptional form throughout the day. He navigated a challenging field, notably eliminating the highly-regarded Raymond Smith earlier in the competition. The final saw him in a closely contested battle against local player Stuart Coburn. Pusey ultimately edged out Coburn to complete an impressive back-to-back tournament victory. Coburn, playing on home turf near the venue, delivered one of the weekend’s strongest performances, pushing Pusey to his limits despite falling just short of the title.
Comito Halts the Streak
However, Pusey’s bid for a clean sweep was dramatically halted in Saturday’s second event by Joe Comito. Comito delivered an outstanding display of darts, defeating Pusey with a decisive 6-1 victory in the quarter-finals. Comito then continued his strong run, progressing past Mal Cumming and Howard Jones to ultimately secure the title. This victory added another different winner to the 2026 ADA Tour, highlighting the increasing depth and talent emerging behind the established top players in Australian darts.
Historic Moment: Coburn’s Nine-Dart Finish
Beyond the tournament victories, the weekend etched another significant moment into ADA history. During Saturday’s second event, Stuart Coburn achieved a perfect nine-dart finish against Josh Kime. A nine-dart finish, often referred to as a ‘perfect leg,’ is achieved by hitting a score of 501 in the minimum possible number of darts (nine). This incredible feat made Coburn only the second player in ADA history to accomplish such a perfect leg in official competition, a testament to his skill and precision, even though he ultimately lost that particular match.
Sunday’s Redemption: Pusey Completes the Treble
The final event on Sunday brought a change in format, shifting from match-play to the tour’s set-play structure. This alteration, however, did little to disrupt Pusey’s exceptional standard of play. He maintained his focus and high performance throughout the competition. In a highly anticipated rematch, Pusey once again met Joe Comito in the final. This time, Pusey successfully reversed the previous day’s defeat, securing another victory and completing a truly remarkable hat-trick of tournament wins across the weekend.
Looking Ahead: PDC World Series Qualifiers
Following the thrilling conclusion of play, the highly coveted places for the upcoming PDC World Series events were officially confirmed. These events are crucial for players looking to compete on a global stage. The qualified players are:
- Raymond Smith earned a qualification spot for the prestigious New Zealand Masters.
- The Australian contingent set to compete in the Wollongong Masters will comprise a strong lineup: Raymond Smith, Brody Klinge, Tim Pusey, Joe Comito, and Darren Penhall.
A Weekend to Remember: Dominance and Depth
Overall, the ADA Tour’s Victoria stop proved to be a pivotal event, introducing two new tournament winners for the season. However, it was Pusey’s incredible three-title haul that truly stood out. His performance represented one of the most dominant individual displays witnessed on the ADA Tour in recent years, firmly establishing him as a force to be reckoned with and setting a high bar for future competitions.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
