Australian Darts Masters: James Wade dominates tournament opener as Ross Smith stunned by Brody Klinge in Wollongong
James Wade thrashed Tim Pusey 6-0 in the opening round of the Australian Darts Masters; Gian van Veen, Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock, Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price all made winning starts as Ross Smith made a shock early exit
Friday 21 August 2026 15:48, UK
Brody Klinge set up a quarter-final showdown against Gian van Veen at the KenoGo Australian Darts Masters after a shock victory over Ross Smith in Wollongong.
Klinge was the solitary Oceanic representative to triumph on a terrific opening day at the WIN Entertainment Centre, registering an 11-dart break to sink Ross Smith in a deciding-leg epic.
Smith crashed in eight maximums during a captivating affair, although he was punished for squandering two match darts in the decider, as Klinge celebrated the biggest victory of his career.
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"I'm over the moon with that," said Klinge, who averaged 96 to 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."
Klinge's reward is a tussle against Van Veen on Finals Day, after the world No 2 conjured up a spectacular 161 checkout to wrap up a clinical 6-3 success against Raymond Smith.
However, the performance of the night was produced by James Wade, who averaged 112.73 - the second-highest recorded in a World Series of Darts event in Australia - during a six-leg demolition of Tim Pusey.
"That felt amazing. Everything just fell into my hands there," admitted Wade, who closed out victory with a 164 finish and will play 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!"
2024 champion Gerwyn Price will face Josh Rock in a fascinating last-eight showdown on Saturday, having reeled off four consecutive legs - including back-to-back 124 and 108 checkouts - in a 6-2 victory over Simon Whitlock.
Rock also won four straight legs to seal a 6-3 success against Adam Leek, while Jonny Clayton will go head-to-head with Australian No 1 Damon Heta after opening his bid for back-to-back World Series titles with a hard-fought 6-3 victory against Ben Robb.
Heta averaged 102.39 in his 6-2 thumping of fellow countryman Joe Comito, while the other tie saw Stephen Bunting fight back from trailing 3-0 to beat Mal Cuming 6-3.
The 2026 Australian Darts Masters will reach its climax with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final during a blockbuster evening session at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday.
KenoGO Australian Darts Masters: Latest schedule, results
Friday's results
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
Saturday's schedule
Quarter-Finals - from 10am UK time (Best of 11 legs)
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 v Wade/Bunting
Van Veen/Klinge v Clayton/Heta
Final (Best of 15 legs)
Who will win this year's BoyleSports World Grand Prix? World No 1 Luke Littler will be defending his title and you can watch all the action live from September 28-October 4 on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.
