Brody Klinge earned a place in the quarter‑finals of the KenoGo Australian Darts Masters after pulling off a stunning upset over Ross Smith in Wollongong. Klinge was the only player from the Oceania region to taste victory on a spectacular opening night at the WIN Entertainment Centre, clinching an 11‑dart finish that saw him edge Smith in a nail‑biting deciding leg.
Smith produced a dazzling display, hitting eight maximums during the match, but his composure slipped at the very end when he missed two match darts in the final leg. Klinge seized the moment, celebrating what he described as the biggest win of his career. "I’m over the moon with that," Klinge said, noting his average of 96 compared with Smith’s 102.88. "It was the adrenaline rush of my life.
I felt a lot more comfortable playing this time around and it showed in my performance, I think. Ross was throwing everything at me.
I was lucky he missed at the end there, but I took my chance. I’m on a free rein now. I’m just going to do my best and keep going. There’s no pressure on me." His reward is a clash with world No.
2 Gian van Veen on Finals Day, after van Veen produced a spectacular 161 checkout to seal a 6‑3 victory over Raymond Smith. The headline of the evening, however, belonged to James Wade, who posted an average of 112.73 – the second‑highest ever recorded in a World Series of Darts event held in Australia – as he steam‑rolled Tim Pusey in six straight legs. Wade’s dominance continued with a flawless 164 finish to close out the match, earning him a quarter‑final slot against Stephen Bunting. "That felt amazing.
Everything just fell into my hands there," Wade admitted. "I think I’m guilty of sometimes forgetting how lucky I am to do what I do, but I’m just happy to be here and I’m playing alright. If I replicate that level tomorrow everyone is stuffed, but tomorrow is a different day!" The tournament’s other storylines are equally compelling. 2024 champion Gerwyn Price will meet Josh Rock in a high‑stakes quarter‑final after dispatching Simon Whitlock 6‑2, a win that featured four consecutive legs and back‑to‑back checkouts of 124 and 108.
Rock mirrored that momentum, taking four straight legs to beat Adam Leek 6‑3. Jonny Clayton also advanced, overcoming Ben Robb 6‑3 and setting up a showdown with Australian number one Damon Heta, who posted a 102.39 average in a 6‑2 demolition of compatriot Joe Comito.
Meanwhile, Stephen Bunting recovered from a 0‑3 deficit to turn the tables on Mal Cuming, winning 6‑3. The 2026 Australian Darts Masters will culminate with quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and the final all packed into a blockbuster evening at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday. The first‑round results (best of 11 legs) were as follows: - Brody Klinge 6‑5 Ross Smith - Stephen Bunting 6‑3 Mal Cuming - Josh Rock 6‑3 Adam Leek - James Wade 6‑0 Tim Pusey - Gian van Veen 6‑3 Raymond Smith - Jonny Clayton 6‑3 Ben Robb - Gerwyn Price 6‑2 Simon Whitlock - Damon Heta 6‑2 Joe Comito Quarter‑finals (best of 11 legs, starting at 10 am UK time) will feature: - Gerwyn Price vs Josh Rock - James Wade vs Stephen Bunting - Gian van Veen vs Brody Klinge - Jonny Clayton vs Damon Heta Semi‑finals (best of 13 legs) will see the winners of Price/Rock against Wade/Bunting, and the victors of Van Veen/Klinge against Clayton/Heta.
The championship match will be contested over a best‑of‑15‑leg format. Beyond the Australian event, darts fans can look ahead to the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, where world No. 1 Luke Littler will defend his title.
The tournament runs from 28 September to 4 October and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through NOW. Overall, the Australian Darts Masters has delivered a blend of shock upsets, high‑scoring brilliance and dramatic comebacks, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a die‑hard follower of the sport, the upcoming matches promise plenty of excitement, skill, and the kind of unpredictable drama that makes darts one of the most compelling live‑sport experiences today.