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 claim a victory on a spectacular opening night at the WIN Entertainment Centre, clinching an 11‑dart finish that sealed a dramatic deciding‑leg win against Smith.

Smith produced eight perfect darts during the thrilling encounter, yet he missed two match darts in the final leg, allowing Klinge to claim what he described as the biggest triumph of his career. "I’m over the moon with that," Klinge said, noting his 96 average compared with Smith’s 102.88. "That 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." He added, "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." Klinge’s reward is a clash with world No. 2 Gian van Veen on Finals Day, after van Veen produced a dazzling 161 checkout to wrap up a 6‑3 win over Raymond Smith.

The night’s headline act, however, was James Wade, who posted a staggering 112.73 average – the second‑highest ever recorded in a World Series of Darts event in Australia – as he demolished Tim Pusey in six straight legs. Wade’s performance was a masterclass in precision and composure.

He finished the match with a 164 checkout and said, "That felt amazing. Everything just fell into my hands there." He will now meet Stephen Bunting in the quarter‑finals. "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!" he added with characteristic confidence. The tournament also featured a thrilling showdown between 2024 champion Gerwyn Price and Josh Rock.

Price powered through a 6‑2 victory over Simon Whitlock, stringing together four consecutive legs and hitting back‑to‑back checkouts of 124 and 108. Rock mirrored that dominance, winning four straight legs to beat Adam Leek 6‑3. Jonny Clayton secured a hard‑fought 6‑3 win over Ben Robb, keeping his hopes alive for a second World Series title.

Australian No. 1 Damon Heta posted a 102.39 average in a 6‑2 demolition of compatriot Joe Comito, while Stephen Bunting rallied from a 0‑3 deficit to defeat Mal Cuming 6‑3. The 2026 Australian Darts Masters will culminate with quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and the final during a blockbuster evening session 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‑final match‑ups (10 am UK time, best of 11 legs) will see Gerwyn Price versus Josh Rock, James Wade versus Stephen Bunting, Gian van Veen versus Brody Klinge, and Jonny Clayton versus Damon Heta. The semi‑finals (best of 13 legs) will pit the winner of Price/Rock against the victor of Wade/Bunting, while the other half of the draw will feature Van Veen/Klinge versus Clayton/Heta.

The final will be contested over a best‑of‑15‑leg format. Beyond the Australian event, darts fans can look forward to the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, where world No. 1 Luke Littler will defend his title. The tournament runs from September 28 to October 4 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through NOW for viewers who prefer to watch online.

Overall, the Australian Darts Masters has delivered a blend of surprise upsets, high‑scoring fireworks, and dramatic comebacks, setting the stage for an exciting climax in the coming days. Whether you are a casual viewer or a seasoned follower of the sport, the tournament offers plenty of storylines to keep you engaged, from Klinge’s breakthrough performance to Wade’s near‑record average, and the looming battles among the world’s elite players as they vie for the coveted title.