AUSTRALIAN Brody Klinge produced a superb display to set up a quarter-final showdown against Gian van Veen at the KenoGO Australian Darts Masters, as James Wade delivered a darting masterclass on Day One 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.
MORE ELITE DARTS COVERAGE: Check Out Our Devoted PDC Area
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.
“I’m over the moon with that. That was the adrenaline rush of my life,” reflected the 34-year-old, who averaged 96 to Smith’s 102.88.
“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 number two conjured up a spectacular 161 checkout to wrap up a clinical 6-3 success against Raymond Smith.
DARTS PLAYER MERCHANDISE AND COLLECTABLES AT OUR DARTSWORLD STORE!
However, the performance of the night was produced by an impregnable Wade, who averaged 112.73 in a six-leg demolition of Tim Pusey.
Wade’s average was the second-highest recorded in a World Series of Darts event in Australia, and he capped off an imperious display with a sensational 164 finish on the bull.
“That felt amazing. Everything just fell into my hands there,” admitted Wade, who 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.
“I’m not here to make the numbers up, but I’m amongst some great players. If I replicate that level tomorrow everyone is stuffed, but tomorrow is a different day!”
Elsewhere, 2024 champion Gerwyn Price will face Josh Rock in a fascinating last eight showdown on Saturday, as the Welshman sets his sights on a second Australian Darts Masters crown.
Price surged to a 6-2 victory over Australian icon Whitlock, reeling off four consecutive legs and converting back-to-back 124 and 108 checkouts to complete a convincing win.
Rock also won four straight legs to seal a 6-3 success against Adam Leek, producing a brace of ton-plus checkouts to overturn a 3-2 deficit.
Elsewhere, Jonny Clayton (below) will go head-to-head with Australian number one Damon Heta, after opening his bid for back-to-back World Series titles with a hard-fought 6-3 victory against Ben Robb.
Heta, meanwhile, averaged 102.39 in his 6-2 thumping of fellow countryman Joe Comito, pinning 55% of his attempts at double to safely progress on home soil.
The evening’s other tie saw Bunting return to winning ways in Wollongong courtesy of a 6-3 win against Mal Cuming, who threatened a late fightback despite trailing 3-0 at one stage.
INTERESTED IN GLOBAL DARTS? Checkout DartsWorld’s Dedicated Area
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.
Play gets underway from 1900 AEST, with coverage broadcast live on Fox Sports in Australia, Sky in New Zealand and through DAZN in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
UK fans can watch Finals Day live on ITV4, with coverage also available on PDCTV in all global territories (excluding DACH & Poland).
Click here for match stats & results.
2026 KenoGO Australian Darts Masters
Schedule of Play
Friday August 21
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 August 22 (1900 AEST)
Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price v Josh Rock
James Wade v Stephen Bunting
Gian van Veen v Brody Klinge
Jonny Clayton v Damon Heta
Best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals
Price/Rock v Wade/Bunting
Van Veen/Klinge v Clayton/Heta
Best of 13 legs
Final
Best of 15 legs
All Saturday’s matches to be played in Draw Bracket order.
Images: James O’Connor/PDC
