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 win on a spectacular opening day at the WIN Entertainment Centre, delivering an 11‑dart finish that clinched the match in a nail‑biting deciding leg.
Smith produced a dazzling display, hitting eight perfect 180s during the encounter, but he faltered at the very end, missing two darts that would have secured the victory. Klinge, meanwhile, celebrated 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. "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. 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 win over Raymond Smith. The headline of the evening, however, belonged to James Wade, who posted an astonishing average of 112.73 – the second‑highest ever recorded in a World Series of Darts event in Australia – as he steam‑rolled Tim Pusey in six straight legs.
Wade’s performance was a masterclass in consistency and finishing. He wrapped up the match with a clinical 164 checkout and said, "That felt amazing.
Everything just fell into my hands there. 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!" His confidence suggests he could be a serious threat to the rest of the field as the tournament progresses. Other notable results from the opening round included 2024 champion Gerwyn Price dispatching Simon Whitlock 6‑2 after stringing together four consecutive legs, highlighted by back‑to‑back checkouts of 124 and 108.
Josh Rock mirrored Price’s form, winning four straight legs to beat Adam Leek 6‑3. Jonny Clayton secured a hard‑fought 6‑3 victory over Ben Robb, setting up a quarter‑final showdown with Australian No.
1 Damon Heta, who posted a 102.39 average in a 6‑2 demolition of fellow countryman Joe Comito. Stephen Bunting also made a statement, rallying from a 0‑3 deficit to defeat Mal Cuming 6‑3, demonstrating the resilience that will be required in the later stages.
The tournament will reach its climax on Saturday with quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and the final all taking place in a single blockbuster session at the WIN Entertainment Centre. The quarter‑final line‑up, all best‑of‑11‑leg matches, is as follows: 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 will be best of 13 legs, featuring the winners of Price/Rock against Wade/Bunting and the victors of Van Veen/Klinge against Clayton/Heta. The final will be contested over a best‑of‑15‑leg format.
Beyond the Australian Masters, 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 September 28 to October 4 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available via NOW.
Overall, the opening day of the Australian Darts Masters has set a high bar. Klinge’s breakthrough win, Wade’s near‑record average, and the strong performances from established stars like Price, Rock and Heta suggest a fiercely competitive field. As the event moves into its knockout stages, the pressure will mount and any player capable of reproducing the kind of form shown by Wade could very well dominate the rest of the tournament. Fans can expect more high‑scoring legs, dramatic checkouts and the inevitable upsets that make the World Series of Darts such a compelling spectacle.