Stephen Bunting, who entered the New Zealand Darts Masters as the tournament's most prominent name, suffered an early exit on the opening day when he was outclassed by Australian contender Raymond Smith in Auckland. The match ended 6‑2 in Smith's favour after he rattled off five consecutive legs without reply, finishing with a superb 124 checkout that landed on the bullseye.
Smith posted an impressive average of 99.81 and hit 86% of his double attempts, demonstrating a level of precision that left Bunting, the third seed, unable to mount a comeback. After the win, a visibly thrilled Smith reflected on his performance, saying, "It feels pretty awesome. It's been eight years since I last stepped onto a PDC stage, so I'm really excited." He credited the growing infrastructure of darts in the Oceania region for his success, noting, "What we're doing in the ADA, DPNZ and ANZ Premier League is setting us up for moments like this.
The PDC's investment in the Oceanic circuit is clearly paying dividends." Smith's victory earns him a quarter‑final clash with fellow Australian Adam Leek. Leek earned his spot by surviving six match darts against Ross Smith and ultimately prevailing in a nail‑biting final‑leg decider on his World Series of Darts debut.
The upcoming quarter‑final promises an all‑Australian showdown that could further highlight the rising standard of darts down under. Elsewhere in the draw, top‑seed Dutchman Gian van Veen dominated New Zealand's World Cup representative Jonny Tata, cruising to a 6‑1 win while averaging over 97. Van Veen will now meet 2022 World Series runner‑up Jonny Clayton in the last eight after the Welshman rallied from a 4‑2 deficit to overcome home favourite Haupai Puha.
The event also featured a strong showing from 2022 champion Gerwyn Price, who dispatched Mark Cleaver 6‑1 to set up a quarter‑final against fellow Welshman Damon Heta. Heta, in turn, produced a five‑leg surge to overturn a deficit and defeat Ben Robb, securing his place in the next round. Australian James Wade and Irishman Josh Rock also progressed, with Wade delivering a 6‑0 demolition of Kayden Milne and Rock edging past Simon Whitlock 6‑4.
Their quarter‑final encounter promises a clash of experience and flair as both players look to add another World Series title to their résumés. The tournament schedule, listed in UK and Ireland time, is as follows: - Last 16 (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 - Quarter‑finals (best of 11 legs) slated for Saturday, August 15, from 8 am: • Gian van Veen vs Jonny Clayton • James Wade vs Josh Rock • Gerwyn Price vs Damon Heta • Raymond Smith vs Adam Leek - Semi‑finals (best of 13 legs) and the final (best of 15 legs) will be determined after the quarter‑finals conclude.
The New Zealand Darts Masters is part of the World Series of Darts, a global showcase that brings top PDC talent to emerging markets. The event not only provides local players with the chance to test themselves against world‑class opposition but also serves as a platform for the sport’s expansion in the Pacific region. The strong performances from Australian and New Zealand competitors this week underscore the growing depth of talent outside the traditional European strongholds. Fans can catch live coverage on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through NOW for those who prefer to watch on digital platforms.
Additionally, the Love the Darts podcast offers post‑match analysis and interviews with players, giving enthusiasts deeper insight into strategies and personal stories. Looking ahead, the darts calendar will see the BoyleSports World Grand Prix return to Sky Sports from September 28 to October 4. Defending champion Luke Littler will aim to retain his title in what promises to be a highly competitive tournament. As the season progresses, the momentum built in Auckland will likely influence player confidence and rankings as the PDC circuit moves toward its major championships later in the year.