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 eliminated in the round of sixteen by Australia’s Raymond Smith in Auckland. Smith dominated the match, rattling off five consecutive legs before sealing a 6‑2 win over the third‑seeded Bunting. He posted an impressive average of 99.81, hit 86 percent of his double attempts, and capped the victory with a spectacular 124 checkout that landed on the bullseye.
After the match, a visibly elated Smith said, “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 of darts in the Oceania region, noting, “The work we’re doing with the Australian Darts Association, DPNZ and the ANZ Premier League is setting us up for moments like this. The PDC’s investment in the Oceanic circuit is finally paying off in the results we’re seeing.” Smith’s triumph over Bunting earns him a quarter‑final clash with fellow Australian Adam Leek. Leek earned his spot by surviving six match darts against Ross Smith and then clinching a dramatic last‑leg decider on his World Series of Darts debut, showcasing the depth of talent emerging from the region.
In other first‑round action, top seed Gian van Veen delivered a clinical performance, posting an average above 97 as he thumped New Zealand’s World Cup representative Jonny Tata 6‑1. Van Veen now faces 2022 runner‑up Jonny Clayton in the quarter‑finals after the Welshman rallied from a 4‑2 deficit to defeat local favorite Haupai Puha. The schedule for the remainder of the event is as follows (all times UK and Ireland): **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) – 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 The semi‑final line‑up will be confirmed after the quarter‑finals, with the final slated as a best‑of‑15‑legs showdown. The event also highlighted the broader resurgence of darts on television.
Sky Sports will resume live coverage of the sport, with the BoyleSports World Grand Prix returning from September 28 to October 4. Fans can also stream darts and other top‑level sports via the NOW platform, while the “Love the Darts” podcast offers additional analysis and commentary. Gerwyn Price, the 2022 champion, continued his strong form by dispatching Mark Cleaver 6‑1, setting up a quarter‑final meeting with Australia’s Damon Heta, who himself rallied from behind to overcome Ben Robb after a five‑leg surge.
In the other half of the draw, Josh Rock will meet James Wade after both players navigated past seasoned opponents—Rock beating Simon Whitlock and Wade dispatching Kayden Milne. The tournament’s early rounds have underscored the growing competitiveness of Oceania players against the traditionally dominant European circuit.
With players like Raymond Smith and Adam Leek delivering high‑calibre performances, the region’s representation on the World Series stage is becoming increasingly formidable. This shift reflects the PDC’s strategic focus on expanding the sport’s footprint beyond its historic heartlands, investing in local leagues, coaching programs, and prize funds to nurture home‑grown talent. As the competition progresses, spectators can expect tighter matches, higher averages, and more dramatic finishes.
The blend of seasoned veterans such as Price and van Veen with rising stars like Smith and Leek creates a compelling narrative that promises to keep fans glued to their screens. Whether you’re watching on Sky Sports, streaming via NOW, or catching up on highlights and podcasts, the New Zealand Darts Masters is delivering a showcase of skill, determination, and the ever‑evolving global appeal of professional darts.