The Australian Darts Masters is underway as Jonny Clayton targets an Oceanic double in Wollongong. There has already been a home nation ‘shock’ as Brody Klinge edged out PDC representative 6-5 is a thrilling early encounter.
Clayton stormed to victory in last weekend’s New Zealand Darts Masters, overcoming the formidable trio of Gian van Veen, James Wade and Gerwyn Price to triumph in Auckland.
The 51-year-old is now setting his sights on further success Down Under, having captured the New South Wales Darts Masters title at the WIN Entertainment Centre back in 2022.
“I’m looking forward to this weekend. Hopefully the sun will shine on me and I can lift another trophy,” claimed Clayton, who opens his title challenge against New Zealand’s Ben Robb.
“It’s my second time here in Australia. I won in Wollongong a few years ago, so it would be back-to-back on the World Series, and back-to-back in Australia!
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“I’m playing with a smile on my face at the moment, and it was great to play in the final with my World Cup partner [Price] last weekend.
“It just shows that two rugby boys can play darts, and to play against each other in the world of rugby in New Zealand, I really enjoyed that.”
Price will also be amongst the star attractions in Wollongong this weekend, having dismantled Luke Littler 8-1 to prevail in the tournament’s inaugural staging in 2024.
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However, the Welshman has been pitted against Australian icon Simon Whitlock in a blockbuster opening round tussle, and Whitlock is determined to roll back the years on home soil.
“I’m really excited to be back,” declared Whitlock, the reigning ANZ Premier League champion.
“I’ve been playing pretty well this year. The form is good, so hopefully I can cause an upset.
“If I play my best darts I can beat anyone, and that’s what I’m looking for – a good result here and then build off that.”
Friday’s opening round will see the eight PDC superstars go head-to-head with their Oceanic counterparts for a place at Finals Day, as world number two Van Veen faces a tough test against Raymond Smith.
The Australian dumped out Stephen Bunting and Adam Leek in advancing to last weekend’s New Zealand Darts Masters semi-finals, averaging over 99 in his win over Bunting.
However, Van Veen – runner-up in January’s Bahrain Darts Masters – is bidding to round off his first year on the World Series circuit in style.
“I’m feeling good, I’m feeling relaxed,” reflected the Dutch number one, who was beaten by eventual champion Clayton in the quarter-finals last weekend.
“We had a lovely couple of days in Sydney beforehand, so I’m looking forward to getting back on the board again.
“Jonny was six out of seven on his doubles last weekend so it was one of those, but I feel confident and hopefully it’s another decent tournament for myself.
“I’ve had a good year so far on the World Series and it would be great to top it off with a title this weekend.”
Australian number one Damon Heta marks his return to home soil with a clash against his compatriot Joe Comito, as Ross Smith goes in search of his first World Series victory against Brody Klinge in Friday’s opener.
Stephen Bunting – a two-time winner on the World Series circuit – kicks off his campaign against Mal Cuming, while James Wade returns to Wollongong for the first time since 2022 when he meets Tim Pusey.
Elsewhere, Northern Ireland’s former World Cup champion Josh Rock takes on Tour Card holder Leek, who progressed to the quarter-finals on his World Series of Darts debut in Auckland last week.
Following the conclusion of Friday’s opening night, the 2026 Australian Darts Masters reaches its climax with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final during a blockbuster evening session at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday.
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Play gets underway from 1900 local time (1000 BST) on each day, 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 the action live on ITV4, with coverage also available on PDCTV in all global territories (excluding DACH & Poland).
2026 KenoGO Australian Darts Masters
August 21-22, WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Draw Bracket
(1) Gerwyn Price v Simon Whitlock
Josh Rock v Adam Leek
(4) James Wade v Tim Pusey
Stephen Bunting v Mal Cuming
(2) Gian van Veen v Raymond Smith
Ross Smith v Brody Klinge
(3) Jonny Clayton v Ben Robb
Damon Heta v Joe Comito
Schedule of Play
Friday August 21 (1900 AEST, 1000 BST)
Ross Smith v Brody Klinge
Stephen Bunting v Mal Cuming
Josh Rock v Adam Leek
James Wade v Tim Pusey
Gian van Veen v Raymond Smith
Jonny Clayton v Ben Robb
Gerwyn Price v Simon Whitlock
Damon Heta v Joe Comito
Best of 11 legs
Saturday August 22 (1900 AEST, 1000 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals
Best of 13 legs
Final
Best of 15 legs
All Saturday matches to be played in Draw Bracket order.
Images: PDC
