Brody Klinge earned a coveted 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 taste victory on an electrifying opening day at the WIN Entertainment Centre, sealing an 11‑dart finish that saw him edge past Smith in a nail‑biting deciding leg.
The match was a roller‑coaster of emotions. Smith rattled off eight perfect 180s, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats, but his composure slipped at the very end when he missed two match darts.
Klinge, who posted an average of 96 compared with Smith’s 102.88, seized the moment and celebrated what he described as the biggest win of his career. "I’m over the moon with that," Klinge said, still buzzing from the triumph.
"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." His reward is a showdown with world number two Gian van Veen on Finals Day. Van Veen had already demonstrated his class by hitting a spectacular 161 checkout to cruise to a 6‑3 win over Raymond Smith. While Klinge’s victory was the headline, 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 held in Australia – as he swept aside Tim Pusey in six straight legs. "That felt amazing. Everything just fell into my hands there," Wade admitted after sealing the match with a smooth 164 finish.
He will now meet Stephen Bunting in the quarter‑finals. Wade reflected on his form with characteristic humility. "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 comment underlined the unpredictable nature of darts: one day you’re firing on all cylinders, the next you could be battling a different opponent under new conditions.
The tournament also featured a host of other compelling narratives. 2024 champion Gerwyn Price will lock horns with Josh Rock in a highly anticipated last‑eight clash on Saturday. Price rode a wave of momentum, stringing together four consecutive legs – including back‑to‑back 124 and 108 checkouts – to dispatch Simon Whitlock 6‑2. Rock, not to be outdone, also ran off four straight legs to secure a 6‑3 win over Adam Leek.
Meanwhile, Jonny Clayton will take on Australian number one Damon Heta after a hard‑fought 6‑3 victory over Ben Robb, keeping his hopes of back‑to‑back World Series titles alive. Heta displayed his own firepower, averaging 102.39 as he thumped fellow Australian Joe Comito 6‑2.
In another thrilling encounter, Stephen Bunting rallied from a 0‑3 deficit to beat Mal Cuming 6‑3, showcasing the resilience that often defines the sport’s biggest moments. The 2026 Australian Darts Masters will culminate with quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and the final all taking place during a marquee evening session at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday.
The schedule for the first round (best of 11 legs) reads 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‑finals (best of 11 legs, from 10 am UK time) will feature: - 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 see the winners of Price/Rock take on Wade/Bunting, while the victor of Van Veen/Klinge will meet Clayton/Heta. The championship match will be contested over a best‑of‑15‑leg format. Beyond the Australian leg of the tour, darts fans can look forward 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 additional streaming options available through NOW. For those eager to keep up with the latest darts action, highlights, video clips, and live streams are readily accessible online. Whether you’re a seasoned follower of the World Series or a newcomer drawn in by the drama of sudden‑death legs and spectacular checkouts, the Australian Darts Masters offers a perfect blend of high‑octane competition and personal stories of triumph, like Klinge’s breakthrough and Wade’s masterclass.
The event not only showcases elite talent from across the globe but also highlights the growing depth of Australian darts, promising more thrilling chapters in the sport’s ever‑expanding narrative.