Stephen Bunting, who entered the New Zealand Darts Masters as one of the tournament's most recognizable names, saw his campaign come to an abrupt end on the opening day when he was dispatched from the last‑16 round by Australia’s Raymond Smith in Auckland. The match turned into a one‑sided affair as Smith rattled off five consecutive legs, ultimately sealing a 6‑2 victory over the third‑seeded Bunting. Smith posted an impressive average of 99.81 and hit 86 percent of his double attempts, capping the win with a spectacular 124 checkout that landed on the bullseye. After the match, a visibly thrilled Smith reflected on his performance: “It feels pretty awesome.
It’s been eight years since I last stepped onto a PDC stage, so I’m really excited.” He went on to credit the growing infrastructure in the Oceania region, noting, “What we’re doing in the Australian Darts Association, the DPNZ and the ANZ Premier League is setting us up for moments like this. The PDC’s investment in the Oceanic circuit is starting to show real results.” Smith’s triumph earns him a quarter‑final showdown with fellow Australian Adam Leek. Leek’s own path to the last eight was dramatic; he survived six match darts from Ross Smith before clinching a last‑leg decider in his debut on the World Series of Darts stage. The two Australians will now battle for a place in the semi‑finals, highlighting the depth of talent emerging from the region.
Elsewhere in the draw, top‑seeded Dutchman Gian van Veen dominated New Zealand’s World Cup representative Jonny Tata, posting a 6‑1 win while averaging over 97. Van Veen’s next opponent will be 2022 runner‑up Jonny Clayton, who produced a gritty comeback against local favourite Haupai Puha, overturning a 4‑2 deficit to win 6‑4.
The schedule also featured a strong showing from the 2022 champion Gerwyn Price, who breezed past Mark Cleaver 6‑1, setting up a quarter‑final clash with fellow Welshman Damon Heta. Heta, in turn, rallied from behind to defeat Ben Robb after a five‑leg surge. In the other quarter‑final pairings, Josh Rock will meet James Wade after both men navigated past tough opponents—Rock eliminating Simon Whitlock and Wade edging past Kayden Milne. The quarter‑final line‑up, therefore, comprises: - Gian van Veen vs.
Jonny Clayton - James Wade vs. Josh Rock - Gerwyn Price vs.
Damon Heta - Raymond Smith vs. Adam Leek The semi‑finals, to be contested as best‑of‑13 legs, will be announced once the quarter‑finals are completed, with the final slated as a best‑of‑15 leg showdown. For fans eager to follow the action, all match times are listed in UK and Ireland local time. The tournament’s last‑16 round featured the following results (best of 11 legs): - Gerwyn Price 6‑1 Mark Cleaver - Ross Smith 5‑6 Adam Leek - James Wade 6‑0 Kayden Milne - Josh Rock 6‑4 Simon Whitlock - Gian van Veen 6‑1 Jonny Tata - Jonny Clayton 6‑5 Haupai Puha - Damon Heta 6‑4 Ben Robb - Stephen Bunting 2‑6 Raymond Smith The quarter‑finals are scheduled for Saturday, August 15, beginning at 8 a.m., and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Darts enthusiasts can also stream the matches via NOW, which offers live coverage of the sport alongside other premium events. Looking ahead, the darts calendar continues to build momentum with the BoyleSports World Grand Prix returning to Sky Sports from September 28 through October 4.
Luke Littler will defend his title in that tournament, adding another high‑profile event to the season’s lineup. As the sport’s popularity expands across the globe, the Oceania region’s rising stars—exemplified by Raymond Smith’s upset over Bunting—signal a promising shift in the competitive landscape, underscoring the impact of recent investments and development programs. Listeners can also tune into the "Love the Darts" podcast for in‑depth analysis, player interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes stories from the World Series circuit. For those seeking highlights, video recaps and key moments from the New Zealand Darts Masters are regularly posted on the official PDC channels, ensuring fans never miss a crucial checkout or a dramatic comeback.
Overall, the New Zealand Darts Masters has delivered a blend of surprise results, dominant performances, and a showcase of emerging talent that promises to shape the future of professional darts both in the Oceanic region and worldwide.