Brody Klinge found himself in a high‑stakes quarter‑final clash with Dutch contender Gian van Veen at 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, where he clinched an 11‑dart break to edge past Smith in a nail‑biting deciding leg.
The match was a roller‑coaster of emotions. Smith managed to hit eight perfect 180s, turning the encounter into a thrilling showcase of skill. However, his composure slipped at the very end when he missed two match darts in the final leg, handing Klinge the biggest win of his career.
"I’m over the moon about that," Klinge said, noting his impressive 96 average against 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." 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 for that heroic display is a showdown with van Veen on Finals Day. Van Veen, currently ranked world number two, demonstrated his own fireworks by hitting a spectacular 161 checkout to seal a clean 6‑3 victory over Raymond Smith. While Klinge and van Veen were making headlines, the night’s most eye‑catching performance came from England’s James Wade. Wade posted an astonishing average of 112.73 – the second‑highest ever recorded in a World Series of Darts event on Australian soil – as he steam‑rolled Tim Pusey in a six‑leg demolition.
"That felt amazing. Everything just fell into my hands there," Wade admitted after finishing the match with a 164 checkout. He will now face 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 also featured a host of other notable battles. Defending champion Gerwyn Price took on Josh Rock in a compelling last‑eight encounter on Saturday, cruising to a 6‑2 win after stringing together four consecutive legs, including back‑to‑back 124 and 108 checkouts. Rock, meanwhile, mirrored Price’s momentum by winning four straight legs to beat Adam Leek 6‑3. Jonny Clayton, fresh from a hard‑won 6‑3 triumph over Ben Robb, will meet Australian number one Damon Heta in the next round.
Heta displayed his own dominance, posting a 102.39 average as he thumped compatriot Joe Comito 6‑2. In another upset, Stephen Bunting recovered from a 0‑3 deficit to defeat Mal Cuming 6‑3, showcasing his resilience under pressure. The 2026 Australian Darts Masters is set to climax with quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and the final all scheduled for 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 (best of 11 legs, starting at 10 am UK time) will see: - Gerwyn Price vs Josh Rock - James Wade vs Stephen Bunting - Gian van Veen vs Brody Klinge - Jonny Clayton vs Damon Heta The semi‑finals (best of 13 legs) will pit the winners of Price/Rock against Wade/Bunting, while the other semi will feature 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 number one 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 via 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. From Klinge’s breakthrough win that earned him a place alongside a world‑class opponent, to Wade’s near‑record average that reminded everyone why he remains a force on the circuit, the event has set the stage for an exciting second half of the competition. As the quarter‑finals loom, players will be looking to build on their early successes, manage the pressure of bigger crowds, and perhaps, like Wade, aim to replicate that extraordinary level of play that can leave every opponent in the dust.
The upcoming matches promise to be a showcase of skill, nerve, and the kind of high‑octane drama that makes darts a truly global spectator sport.