Jonny Clayton emerged victorious over his fellow Welshman Gerwyn Price with an 8‑4 win to capture the New Zealand Darts Masters title in Auckland. The tournament saw the two compatriots navigate a series of challenging matches before meeting in the final, where Clayton sealed his second World Series of Darts crown by finishing on a spectacular 124 checkout that landed on the bullseye. Clayton's road to the championship was marked by impressive performances against a strong field.
He opened the event with a solid victory over Dutch rising star Gian van Veen, then continued his momentum by dispatching seasoned English player James Wade. Both wins demonstrated his consistency and composure under pressure, setting the stage for a high‑stakes encounter with Price, who had also been in fine form throughout the week. The final itself was a masterclass in precision and strategic play.
Clayton began aggressively, delivering a dazzling 158 checkout that gave him an early 3‑0 lead. He never allowed Price to recover, quickly extending his advantage to 7‑1. Although Price mounted a brief comeback, winning three consecutive legs, Clayton held firm and closed out the match at 8‑4, avenging his loss to Price in the 2022 Hamilton final. Reflecting on the experience, Clayton said, "It was great to play in the final with my World Cup partner.
It just shows that two rugby boys can play darts, and to play against each other in the world of rugby here in New Zealand, I've got a smile on my face." He added a touch of friendly rivalry, noting, "I really enjoyed that. It's 1‑1 now, so next year – winner takes all!" Looking ahead, Clayton expressed optimism about his upcoming schedule, particularly the Wollongong event next week. "I'm looking forward to Wollongong next week.
Hopefully the sun will shine on me and I can lift another trophy!" he said, hinting at his ambition to add more titles to his growing résumé. The New Zealand Darts Masters featured a packed draw, beginning with a Last‑16 round of best‑of‑11 legs. Highlights from that stage included Gerwyn Price's 6‑1 demolition of Mark Cleaver, Ross Smith's narrow 6‑5 loss to Adam Leek, and James Wade's dominant 6‑0 win over Kayden Milne. In the other half of the bracket, Jonny Clayton edged out Haupai Puha 6‑5, while Damon Heta overcame Ben Robb 6‑4, and Stephen Bunting fell 2‑6 to Raymond Smith.
In the quarter‑finals, Clayton continued his strong form, defeating Gian van Veen 6‑3, while James Wade fell 4‑6 to Josh Rock. Gerwyn Price dispatched Damon Heta 6‑2, and Raymond Smith overcame Adam Leek 6‑3 to set up the semi‑finals.
The semi‑final match‑ups produced two decisive victories. Clayton overwhelmed James Wade 7‑2, showcasing his ability to dominate even the most experienced opponents. Meanwhile, Price mirrored that scoreline, beating Raymond Smith 7‑2 to earn his place in the final.
The championship match, a best‑of‑15 legs showdown, concluded with Clayton's 8‑4 triumph. His clinical finishing, highlighted by the 124 bullseye checkout, underscored his growing reputation as a clutch performer on the World Series circuit.
Fans of darts can catch future events live on Sky Sports, with the next major broadcast being the BoyleSports World Grand Prix from September 28 to October 4. Luke Littler will defend his title in that tournament, and viewers can also stream additional coverage and related sports content via the NOW platform. Beyond the scores, the tournament illustrated the increasing crossover appeal of darts in regions traditionally dominated by other sports, such as rugby in New Zealand.
Both Clayton and Price, former rugby players turned darts professionals, demonstrated how skills from the rugby field—focus, hand‑eye coordination, and competitive grit—translate effectively to the oche. The event also highlighted the depth of talent emerging from the Oceania region. Local players like Gian van Veen, Kayden Milne, and Josh Rock provided strong competition, indicating a bright future for darts down under.
Their performances against established stars added excitement and variety to the tournament, suggesting that the sport's global reach continues to expand. In summary, Jonny Clayton's victory at the New Zealand Darts Masters was a testament to his relentless practice, strategic acumen, and ability to perform under pressure. By overcoming a formidable opponent in Gerwyn Price and delivering a memorable finish, Clayton not only secured his second World Series title but also reinforced his status as one of the sport's rising stars. The win sets the tone for his upcoming appearances, and fans can look forward to more high‑quality darts action as the season progresses.