Lloyd Books Masters Return

Brenton Lloyd will make his big stage return at the 2024 Australian Darts Masters in August, after winning the Russell Stewart Trophy in Warilla last weekend.

Brenton Lloyd, who made his televised debut in last year’s New South Wales Darts Masters, will also feature in this year’s World Series of Darts showpiece after scooping the most prize money across the opening weekend of DPA ProTour action in 2024.

Lloyd claimed the spoils in Event One on Saturday, dumping out former World Championship qualifier Mal Cuming in the semi-finals, before recovering from 5-3 down to seal a comeback win over Harley Kemp in the final.

Brody Klinge produced the performance of Saturday’s opening ProTour event, averaging 110.51 in a stunning whitewash win against Keith Charchalis, before succumbing to Brandon Weening in the last eight.

Weening then powered to victory in Event Two later on Saturday, following up another quarter-final win over Klinge with victories against Joe Comito and Robert Modra to clinch the title.

The 25-year-old brushed aside Comito in the semi-finals, before winning five of the last six legs to wrap up a 6-4 success against Modra, with a spectacular 161 checkout in leg sparking his fightback.

Former Challenge Tour finalist Modra sealed his place in the Event Two decider with wins over Rhys Mathewson and Dave Marland, averaging 107.63 in his quarter-final demolition of Mathewson.

However, former PDC Tour Card Holder Gordon Mathers rounded off the weekend’s action with Event Three glory on Sunday, overcoming Lloyd 3-1 in sets to secure his first title of the new season.

The former World Series of Darts semi-finalist also accounted for Comito, Modra, Marland and Jeremy Fagg on his way to victory, before defying a mid-game fightback from Lloyd to return to the winner’s circle in Warilla.

Despite his Event Three defeat, Lloyd ended the opening DPA treble-header with the most prize money, therefore becoming the first Australian representative to confirm their place in August’s World Series of Darts event in Wollongong.

The DPA ProTour will resume in April, with Events 4-6 set to take place in Victoria, as Australia’s top stars continue their bids for World Series of Darts and World Darts Championship qualification.