Brody Klinge earned a spot 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, where he secured an 11‑dart break to edge out Smith in a nail‑biting deciding leg. The match was a roller‑coaster. Smith managed to hit eight perfect 180s, creating a thrilling atmosphere for the crowd, but he faltered at the very end, missing two match darts in the final leg.
Klinge, seizing the opportunity, celebrated what he described as the biggest victory of his career. "I’m over the moon with that," Klinge said, noting his average of 96 compared with 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.
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." Because of that win, Klinge now faces world No. 2 Gian van Veen on Finals Day. Van Veen entered the match fresh after a dazzling 161 checkout that capped a smooth 6‑3 win over Raymond Smith.
While Klinge’s triumph was the headline, the night’s most dominant display came from James Wade. Wade posted an average of 112.73 – the second‑highest ever recorded in a World Series of Darts event held in Australia – as he demolished 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.
Wade added a touch of humility to his confidence: "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 high‑octane action.
2024 champion Gerwyn Price will clash with Josh Rock in a compelling last‑eight encounter on Saturday after Price rattled off four consecutive legs – including back‑to‑back 124 and 108 checkouts – to beat Simon Whitlock 6‑2. Rock, meanwhile, also ran off four straight legs to secure a 6‑3 victory over Adam Leek. Jonny Clayton will meet Australian number one Damon Heta after a hard‑fought 6‑3 win over Ben Robb, while Heta himself posted a 102.39 average in a 6‑2 thrashing of fellow countryman Joe Comito. In another notable comeback, Stephen Bunting recovered from a 0‑3 deficit to defeat Mal Cuming 6‑3, showing the depth of experience on display.
The 2026 Australian Darts Masters will culminate with quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and the final all packed into a blockbuster evening session at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday. **First round (best of 11 legs)** - 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‑finals (best of 11 legs, from 10 am UK time)** - Gerwyn Price vs Josh Rock - James Wade vs Stephen Bunting - Gian van Veen vs Brody Klinge - Jonny Clayton vs Damon Heta **Semi‑finals (best of 13 legs)** - Price/Rock vs Wade/Bunting - Van Veen/Klinge vs Clayton/Heta **Final (best of 15 legs)** - To be decided.
Beyond the Australian event, 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. For those who prefer streaming, NOW offers live darts and a range of other top‑level sports.
Overall, the Australian Darts Masters has provided a perfect blend of surprise upsets, dominant performances, and dramatic comebacks. Wade’s near‑record average signals that he is in blistering form, while Klinge’s breakthrough win demonstrates that new talent can challenge the established elite. As the tournament moves into its decisive stages, the stakes are high and the atmosphere electric – a true showcase of the sport’s growing global appeal.