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 day at the WIN Entertainment Centre, clinching an 11‑dart finish that sent Smith to a sudden‑death leg. The match was a roller‑coaster.
Smith produced eight perfect darts, but his composure slipped when he missed two darts at double in the deciding leg, handing Klinge the biggest win of his career. "I’m over the moon with that," Klinge said, noting his 96 average compared with Smith’s 102.88. "It was the adrenaline rush of my life.
I felt a lot more comfortable this time around and I think that showed in my performance. 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 number two Gian van Veen on Finals Day, after Van Veen produced a dazzling 161 checkout to seal a 6‑3 win over Raymond Smith. While Klinge’s triumph was the headline, the night’s most eye‑catching display came from James Wade, who posted an average of 112.73 – the second‑highest ever recorded in a World Series of Darts event on Australian soil – as he dismantled Tim Pusey in six straight legs.
"That felt amazing. Everything just fell into my hands there," Wade admitted after sealing the win with a 164 finish. 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!" The tournament continued to deliver drama. 2024 champion Gerwyn Price will face Josh Rock in a compelling last‑eight encounter on Saturday after a commanding 6‑2 victory over Simon Whitlock, during which Price racked up four consecutive legs and hit back‑to‑back checkouts of 124 and 108. Rock mirrored that form, winning four straight legs to beat Adam Leek 6‑3.
Jonny Clayton, meanwhile, will square off against Australian number one Damon Heta after a hard‑won 6‑3 triumph over Ben Robb, keeping his hopes of back‑to‑back World Series titles alive. Heta posted a 102.39 average in a dominant 6‑2 win over fellow Australian Joe Comito, while Stephen Bunting rallied from a 0‑3 deficit to defeat Mal Cuming 6‑3, showcasing the depth of talent on display. The 2026 Australian Darts Masters will culminate with quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and the final in a packed 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 (starting at 10 am UK time, best of 11 legs) are set as: Gerwyn Price vs Josh Rock, James Wade vs Stephen Bunting, Gian van Veen vs Brody Klinge, and Jonny Clayton vs Damon Heta.
The semi‑finals (best of 13 legs) will see the winners of Price/Rock versus Wade/Bunting and Van Veen/Klinge versus Clayton/Heta, with the final (best of 15 legs) to determine the champion. Beyond the Australian event, darts fans are also looking ahead to the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, where world number one 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 via NOW. Overall, the Australian Darts Masters has provided a thrilling mix of surprise upsets, high‑scoring fireworks, and compelling storylines. Klinge’s breakthrough, Wade’s near‑record average, and the looming battles among the sport’s elite promise to keep supporters glued to the action as the competition moves into its decisive stages.
The blend of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers ensures that every leg could produce another memorable moment, and the anticipation builds for who will ultimately lift the trophy in front of a passionate Australian crowd.