Jonny Clayton emerged victorious over his fellow Welshman Gerwyn Price, securing an 8‑4 triumph in the final of the New Zealand Darts Masters held in Auckland. The win marked Clayton’s second World Series of Darts title and was clinched with a dramatic 124‑checkout that landed on the bullseye, underscoring his composure under pressure. Clayton’s journey to the championship was anything but straightforward.
He opened the tournament by dispatching Dutch newcomer Gian van Veen, then faced seasoned English veteran James Wade in a tense quarter‑final. After navigating those hurdles, Clayton entered the final with confidence, ready to settle the score after his loss to Price in the 2022 Hamilton final.
The match began with Clayton unleashing a spectacular 158 finish, which propelled him to a 3‑0 lead. He never looked back, extending his advantage to 7‑1 before Price rallied to win three consecutive legs, narrowing the gap. Nevertheless, Clayton held firm, ultimately sealing the encounter at 8‑4 and avenging his previous defeat. Reflecting on the experience, Clayton said, "It was fantastic to share the final stage with my World Cup teammate.
It proves that two lads who grew up playing rugby can also excel at darts, especially when we meet on New Zealand soil. It puts a big smile on my face." He added a hint of friendly rivalry, noting, "It’s 1‑1 now, so next year the winner takes all! I’m already looking forward to Wollongong next week. Hopefully the sun will shine and I can add another trophy to the cabinet." The tournament featured a packed field of international talent.
In the round of 16, Price dispatched Mark Cleaver 6‑1, while Ross Smith edged Adam Leek 6‑5 in a tightly contested match. James Wade recorded a dominant 6‑0 win over Kayden Milne, and Josh Rock overcame Simon Whitlock 6‑4. Gian van Veen, after a solid performance, fell to Jonny Clayton 6‑1, and the eventual champion continued his strong form by beating Haupai Puha 6‑5 and Damon Heta 6‑4 in subsequent rounds. Quarter‑final action saw Clayton maintain his momentum, defeating van Veen 6‑3, while Wade was upset by James Rock 6‑4.
Price, meanwhile, displayed his class with a 6‑2 victory over Heta, and Raymond Smith overcame Adam Leek 6‑3 to set up the semi‑finals. In the semi‑finals, Clayton produced a masterclass, cruising to a 7‑2 win over James Wade, while Price mirrored that scoreline against Raymond Smith, setting the stage for a highly anticipated Welsh showdown. The final, a best‑of‑15 legs contest, showcased high‑quality darts from both players. Clayton’s early 158 finish and subsequent 124 bullseye checkout highlighted his scoring power and finishing precision.
Price fought back with several high‑scoring visits but could not overturn Clayton’s dominance, and the Welshman’s composure on the double ring proved decisive. Beyond the match itself, the event highlighted the growing popularity of darts in the Southern Hemisphere.
Sky Sports broadcast the tournament live, bringing the excitement to a global audience, while fans could also stream the action via NOW, the platform that offers live darts alongside a range of other sports. The New Zealand Darts Masters also featured a range of ancillary content for enthusiasts: the "Love the Darts" podcast provided in‑depth analysis and player interviews, and a series of highlight reels captured the tournament’s most thrilling moments, from clutch checkouts to high‑scoring legs.
Looking ahead, the darts calendar remains busy. The BoyleSports World Grand Prix will return to Sky Sports from September 28 to October 4, with Luke Littler set to defend his title.
As the season progresses, players like Clayton will aim to add further accolades to their resumes, while fans can continue to enjoy live coverage and streaming options that keep the sport accessible worldwide. Overall, Jonny Clayton’s triumph in Auckland not only solidified his status as a rising star on the World Series circuit but also demonstrated the depth of Welsh talent in the sport. With his confident performance, strategic checkout choices, and the ability to thrive under pressure, Clayton has set a high bar for his competitors and given fans plenty to look forward to in the upcoming events on the darts calendar.