The Melbourne thrower swiftly completed a remarkable seasonal hat trick, claiming the honours in event five courtesy of a composed and emphatic 6-2 triumph over Darren Penhall. For much of the tournament Klinge appeared serenely untroubled, gliding through the early rounds with the kind of assured composure and clinical efficiency that has rapidly become his trademark.

It was not until the semi-final stage that the Australian star encountered any genuine resistance, stubbing out Jeremy Fagg in a tense and dramatic last leg decider. Having successfully navigated that stern examination, the Victorian (a reference to his state origin – not age) then eased past the English born Penhall in the final, adding a third piece of silverware to what is already becoming a flourishing seasonal collection.

Raymond Smiths Career in Facts and Figures: Find all you need to know on dartsdatabase.co.uk

For a time it looked as though fellow Australian Raymond Smith, who had also departed Mandurah with a brace of titles to his name, would be the man colliding with Klinge in the showpiece showdown. However, Darren Penhall intervened in rather spectacular fashion, eliminating The Guru in the semi-finals before eventually falling short against the red-hot Melbourne Ace in the main event.

Yet players of Raymond Smith’s pedigree are rarely subdued for long. On Saturday the experienced Brisbane arrow smith bounced back emphatically to capture the first of two scheduled tournaments, continuing what was rapidly evolving into the dominant Klinge-Smith narrative of the season. In something of a role reversal from the previous event, Smith overcame the man responsible for eliminating Klinge in the semi-finals, James Bailey, to secure his own third ADA Tour title of the year.

The journey to the trophy, however, was far from straightforward. Smith survived a pair of nervy deciding leg encounters, first overcoming Jamie Rundle in the quarter finals before squeezing past Darren Penhall in the last four. Once through to the final, the Brisbane thrower produced a composed and clinical display to defeat Bailey, adding yet another accolade to his steadily expanding résumé.

Event number seven then delivered a welcome twist to the unfolding weekend narrative. For the first time across the Canberra programme, the silverware did not end up in the possession of either Brody Klinge or Raymond Smith. Instead, the man who had been persistently knocking on the door throughout the event, Darren Penhall, finally forced it open.

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To make the moment even sweeter, the adopted Australian originally from Cornwall defeated none other than Raymond Smith in the final, bringing a halt to what was rapidly becoming a two-man monopoly. The closest anyone came to unnerving the 53-year-old St Austell native was Robbie King, who managed to claim three legs in their last sixteen encounter.

From that point onward Penhall gathered irresistible momentum, surging past both Tim Pusey and Matt Dorotich before ensuring that a fresh name would be inscribed upon the 2026 ADA Tour roll of honour.

Finally, and just to restore a sense of balance to the darting universe – or at least the equilibrium Down Under – both Brody Klinge and Raymond Smith reached the final in Canberra’s concluding event of the quadruple. Heading home with the distinction of claiming exactly half of this season’s ADA titles was Klinge, following a well fought Sunday showdown with his compatriot.

Curiously, the format switched to set play for the final and, after the contest was locked at one set apiece, it was Victoria that ultimately edged the entertaining encounter to defeat the man from Queensland. Eight tournaments into the season and the scoreboard reads rather intriguingly: four victories for Melbourne, three for Brisbane, and one belonging to a Cornishman whose origin will not appear on any map of Australia – yet the talented Darren Penhall has certainly made his presence felt.

2026 ADA TOUR (WEEKEND TWO)

EVENT FIVE

Canberra, Australia (Fri 13^th March)

Quarter Finals

Raymond Smith 6-1 Darcy Crane

Darren Penhall 6-5 James Bailey

Brody Klinge 6-1 Joe Comito

Jeremy Fagg 6-3 Puna Ben

Semi-Finals

Darren Penhall 6-4 Raymond Smith

Brody Klinge 6-5 Jeremy Fagg

Final

Brody Klinge 6-2 Darren Penhall

2026 ADA TOUR – EVENT SIX

Canberra, Australia (Sat 14^th March)

Quarter Finals

Brody Klinge 6-1 Darcy Crane

James Bailey 6-0 David Burke

Raymond Smith 6-5 Jamie Rundle 

Darren Penhall 6-4 Tim Pusey

Semi-Finals

James Bailey 6-3 Brody Klinge

Raymond Smith 6-5 Darren Penhall 

Final

Raymond Smith 6-4 James Bailey

2026 ADA TOUR – EVENT SEVEN

Canberra, Australia (Sat 14^th March)

Quarter Finals

Raymond Smith 6-3 Jamie Rundle 

Michael Bajowski 6-3 James Bailey

Matt Dorotich 6-4 Harley Kemp

Darren Penhall 6-2 Tim Pusey

Semi-Finals

Raymond Smith 6-1 Michael Bajowski

Darren Penhall 6-1 Matt Dorotich

Final

Darren Penhall 6-4 Raymond Smith 

2026 ADA TOUR – EVENT EIGHT (Set Play)

Canberra, Australia (Sun 15^th March)

Quarter Finals

Raymond Smith 2-0 Jamie Rundle 

Mal Cuming 2-1 Michael Bajowski 

Brody Klinge 2-1 Harley Kemp

Jeremy Fagg 2-0 Darren Penhall 

Semi-Finals

Raymond Smith 2-1 Mal Cuming 

Brody Klinge 2-1 Jeremy Fagg 

Final

Brody Klinge 2-1 Raymond Smith 

—–Ends—–

Images:

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When the inaugural series first unfurled last June, it was Raymond Smith who monopolised proceedings in his native Queensland, executing a clean sweep of all four titles with an air of serene supremacy.

This time, the Brisbane talisman did not quite annex the entire estate – he “only” departed Western Australia with two trophies – but in compensation he authored a moment of pristine perfection. A nine-dart leg. The first in the history of the ADA Tour. A sliver of darting immortality delivered with clinical splendour.

Yet before Smith’s pyrotechnics illuminated the weekend, it was Brody Kling who had commandeered the early proceedings. The Melbourne marksman tore through the opening two events with unflinching authority, carving a path to the first final by dispatching five consecutive compatriots. The sequence culminated in a meeting with James Bailey, a contest that promised resistance but instead dissolved into a whitewash. Bailey, known as The Bull, simply could not Kling-on, watching in despair as his fellow Victoria thrower accelerated remorselessly clear.

Momentum, once accrued, can become intoxicating. Kling returned for the second event with the same predatory intent, dismantling Smith in the semi finals before overpowering Cornwall born Darren Penhall to complete a dream double. Two events. Two titles. Western Australia had a new headline act.

Somewhere amid Kling’s ascendancy, however, Smith’s competitive instincts began to simmer. Nicknamed “The Guru,” he responded in fittingly enlightened fashion. After negotiating past last year’s league winner, Tim Pusey in the quarter finals, his focus sharpened on preventing a Kling hat trick – and preserving the exclusivity of his own four title masterclass from twelve months earlier.

The semi-final was not merely won. It was administered. Smith prevailed without conceding a leg and, as though punctuating the statement with gilded calligraphy, produced the ADA Tour’s inaugural nine darter. Perfection under pressure. A maximum sequence of arithmetic elegance that instantly elevated the fledgling circuit’s mythology.

By the time he reached the third events showdown against Anthony Shreeve, the crescendo had already peaked. The performance was more measured, less pyrotechnic, yet sufficiently authoritative to secure the title. Substance over spectacle, silverware over sentiment.

Event four introduced mild bewilderment for casual observers scrolling through Darts Connect, as the format pivoted from legs to sets. The structural alteration did little to disrupt Smith’s momentum. He navigated the revised terrain with composed efficiency, edging past Michael Bajowski 2-1 to secure his second crown of the weekend and reaffirm his dominion.

Thus Mandurah concluded with two men departing in buoyant spirits – Kling with a formidable double and Smith with both silverware and a slice of history tucked into his luggage. The ADA Tour may still be in its infancy, but already it possesses its first perfect leg and its first enduring rivalry. And once again, Raymond Smith stands indelibly etched at the centre of it.

—–ENDS—–

Images: PDC

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Given the calibre of The Heat, this was not a seismic shock in pure results terms. But such is the weight of reputation van Gerwen has constructed over the past decade that any first-hurdle exit still lands with a thud. When Mighty Mike falls early, it is never just another result.

The season had begun brightly for MVG with victory at the Bahrain Darts Masters, yet this Masters meeting with Heta was a contest low on fluency and high on frustration. Neither player truly sparkled, but the decisive difference was unmistakable – doubles. Van Gerwen laboured, Heta did not. The Australian pinned when it mattered and marched on with quiet efficiency.

Awaiting Heta in round two is Chris Dobey, who produced one of the most authoritative performances of the night against an underpowered Jermaine Wattimena. After a breakthrough season, The Machine Gun arrived with momentum but never truly ignited. Dobey did, sweeping aside the Dutchman with ruthless control.

Experience also had its say. The old guard reminded everyone they are not yet done, with Unicorn duo James Wade and Gary Anderson both digging deep to survive last-set deciders against Madars Razma and Niels Zonneveld respectively. Between them, Wade and Anderson own enough silverware to fill a small museum, and they are now on a tantalising collision course.

New Dutch number one Gian van Veen began his campaign with purpose, navigating the ever-dangerous threat of Ryan Joyce to secure a composed 3-1 victory. He will next face Nathan Aspinall, who delivered another commanding display to dismiss former Lakeside champion Shane McGuirk by the same scoreline.

To complete the evening’s narrative, Wales supplied its own emphatic punctuation. The Red Dragon pairing of Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price both advanced, setting up an all-Welsh second-round collision by markedly different routes. The Ferret was forced to work hard to subdue Wessel Nijman, while Price dispatched James Hurrell with a 3-0 scoreline that flattered its simplicity. The quality was higher than the whitewash result suggests. But that is darts – ruthless, unforgiving, and utterly indifferent to effort.

In summary, it was a bruising night for the qualifiers, whose smiles on Wednesday evening had vanished within 24 hours. It was also a difficult outing for the Dutch contingent. Five players took to the stage, and only van Veen emerged victorious. The other half of round one gets underway this evening.

Results
Chris Dobey 3-0 Jermaine Wattimena (2-1, 2-0, 2-1)
Gary Anderson 3-2 Niels Zonneveld (0-2, 2-0, 2-1, 1-2, 2-0)
James Wade 3-2 Madars Razma (1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 1-2, 2-0)
Nathan Aspinall 3-1 Shane McGuirk (1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0)
Jonny Clayton 3-1 Wessel Nijman (1-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1)
Gerwyn Price 3-0 James Hurrell (2-1, 2-1, 2-0)
Damon Heta 3-1 Michael van Gerwen (2-0, 1-2, 2-1, 2-1)
Gian van Veen 3-1 Ryan Joyce (1-2, 2-0 2-0, 2-1)

Friday January 30 (1900 GMT)
Round One
Martin Schindler v Luke Woodhouse
Ross Smith v Jimmy van Schie
Danny Noppert v Daryl Gurney
Ryan Searle v Rob Cross
Josh Rock v Connor Scutt
Luke Littler v Mike De Decker
Luke Humphries v Dave Chisnall
Stephen Bunting v Jeffrey de Graaf

—–ENDS—–

Images: PDC

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Whitlock, who entered the finale having won Group B on Thursday and Friday, began the night by winning just one of his two group phase matches, as he won his opener against Neil Duff before suffering a defeat to Johnny Haines. 

However, the Aussie did progress through to the Semi Finals, where at that stage he came up against Michael Huntley and from there, Whitlock whitewashed the Welshman, 4-0, to book his place in the final.  

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In the decider, Whitlock came up against Steve West, who’d defeated Neil Duff in the last four, and in a battle between two former stars of the PDC, it was Whitlock who came out on top as he whitewashed ‘Simply’ 4-0 to seal a first weekly title at the MODUS Live Lounge as well as collecting the £5,000 first prize.  

The MODUS Super Series returns on Monday with the fifth edition of Women’s Week taking place, with the first of three days of Group A and the field including Fallon Sherrock and Lisa Ashton.

Play will be streamed on Pluto TV with highlights and other coverage on the MODUS Super Series YouTube channel, or via various bookmaker’ websites worldwide. 

Modus Super Series Seniors Showdown Week 

Saturday 10^th January  

Finale

Group One 

Richard Rowlands 4-2 Michael Huntley 

Michael Huntley 4-2 Steve West 

Steve West 4-1 Richard Rowlands 

Group Two 

Simon Whitlock 4-1 Neil Duff 

Neil Duff 4-1 Johnny Haines 

Johnny Haines 4-2 Simon Whitlock  

Semi Finals 

Steve West 4-1 Neil Duff 

Simon Whitlock 4-0 Michael Huntley 

Final  

Simon Whitlock 4-0 Steve West 

——-ENDS——

Images: PDC

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This is an endurance trial disguised as a darts competition, demanding psychological fortitude, emotional elasticity and the capacity to function while running on caffeine, adrenaline and the faint memory of sleep.

Most enter with hope. Many leave hollowed out. Only a select few stagger through the smoke with their professional status intact. But for four arrow-smiths drifting out of either Milton Keynes or Kalkar with tour cards clutched tightly in hand, the overwhelming sensation is not triumph alone – it is relief. Relief that there will be no white-knuckle wait on 5pm on the final. But more importantly, relief that the torture has ended early.

These are the first quartet to survive the assault. Whether boarding a train they once rode before, or taking their maiden journey into the deep end of professional darts, their destination is the same – and the real work is only just beginning.

RHYS GRIFFIN

The road back to the summit is rarely gentle, and almost never forgiving – yet Rhys Griffin stormed straight back through the front gates like a man who had simply popped out to fetch milk. Losing his tour card last season could have fractured lesser spirits. Instead, it sharpened him. One year later, he has reclaimed his professional status at the very first opportunity, a defiant rebuttal delivered in tungsten.At 28, the Welshman sits at that fascinating crossroads where experience begins to fuse with urgency. Talent has never been the issue. Neither, for that matter, has pedigree – now boasting The Lancashire Rose, Lisa Ashton as his mother-in-law following marriage to her daughter, Danielle.

The Pro Tour is a merciless journey, and Griffin knows all too well how quickly prize money evaporates once travel, accommodation, fuel, food and time are deducted. £14,500 across a season looks respectable on paper; in reality, it barely keeps the engine ticking over.

Wiser, tougher and battle-scarred from months spent criss-crossing Leicester, Wigan, Hildesheim and every nondescript leisure centre in between, Griffin returns not as a tourist, but as a survivor. This time, he intends to be far harder to remove.

ADAM LEEK

From the wide skies of Australia comes Adam Leek, stepping onto the Pro Tour runway with ambition in his carry-on luggage and anonymity still clinging to his name. His name may not yet resonate as loudly as World Cup winners, Simon Whitlock or Damon Heta, but every legacy starts as a whisper before it becomes a roar.Leek’s domestic numbers were solid rather than spectacular.

A mid 20s finish on the DPA Order of Merit won’t ignite fireworks, though his top-ten standing on the ADA circuit hints at deeper reserves. What he lacks in global exposure, he compensates for with steel-nerved composure – the kind required to survive Q-School, especially when you seize the opportunity on day one. That alone is a calling card.

With Mason Whitlock still finding his footing and Kiwi Ben Robb battling on, Leek could find himself as Heta’s sole ANZAC representative and an opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with The Heat in the next World Cup.

February’s Players Championships will tell us plenty, but one truth already stands: you don’t escape Q-School by accident. Especially with a few days to spare.

ARNO MERK

Before December 11th, Arno Merk was a relative unknow. After it, he was a headline. And now, with a tour card secured, he is officially part of the sport’s present tense. The German qualified for Ally Pally by conquering the PDCE DASH Super League – a competition that mirrors its champion in relative obscurity. Then fate handed him the curtain-raiser, alongside Kim Huybrechts, no less. On paper, a formality. In reality, a seismic upset. Merk dismantled The Hurricane, then went one step further by whitewashing Peter Wright.

Yes, it was not the Snakebite of imperial vintage – but you still have to do it.Michael van Gerwen eventually applied the full stop to Merk’s World Championship debut, but not before the German had announced himself with clarity and courage.

Fast forward to Q-School, and within minutes of dispatching Jeffrey Sparidaans, Merk claimed a tour card and a curious piece of trivia: the first winner of the 2026 World Championship and the first new tour card holder of this season’s Q-School. Store that away for quizzes to come.

FILIP BEREZA

The Eastern European arrow-smith arrived without fanfare, without spotlight, and largely without recognition. Which, historically, is exactly how trouble tends to arrive.Polish darts has quietly been assembling its own lineage, with Krzysztof Ratajski carrying the standard into the world’s biggest arenas. Bereza now joins that narrative at ground level, armed with belief and an unshakeable nerve.

His international résumé was thin prior to 2025, though a World Masters appearance hinted at intent.Then came Kalkar. And then came the comeback. Trailing 5-1 against former World Matchplay semi-finalist Jeffrey De Zwaan, Bereza stared into the abyss – and blinked last.

Dart by dart, leg by leg, the Pole clawed his way back, flipping despair into destiny and ripping the golden ticket from Dutch fingers at the final moment.Two years on the Pro Tour now stretch before him like an uncharted map.

Whether Bereza becomes Poland’s next standard-bearer remains unwritten. But every journey of consequence begins with a moment of nerve – and he has already proven he owns that in abundance.

—–Ends—–

Images: PDC

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As in the UK, a cluster of players arrived at the venue clutching what they hoped were cushions of safety, their points totals offering reassurance but never immunity. Nothing at Q-School is bulletproof. There were no champagne corks popping, no early celebrations. Instead, eyes flicked incessantly between dartboards and mobile screens, refreshing the rankings page every few minutes, waiting for the moment their name turned that blessed shade of dark green. Until it did, nobody truly breathed.

The eventual top sixteen was stacked with quality. Not household names in the traditional sense, perhaps lacking the battle-hardened folklore of John Henderson or the storied longevity of former Lakeside World Champ, Scott Mitchell, but make no mistake – this was a gathering of elite tungsten technicians. You do not reach this far without serious firepower, composure under siege, and the mental resilience to survive days of relentless, unforgiving matchplay.

And this, after all, is the essence of Q-School. This is where reputations are forged from anonymity, where regional heroes step out of the shadows of local leagues and into a furnace that can transform them into global contenders. Every year it produces names nobody saw coming. Every year it rewrites a few destinies. Somewhere in the list at the foot of the standings, history may already be clearing its throat.

Among the wider group of 54 who also scraped through the Kalkar cut was Mason Whitlock, still carrying the emotional bruises of what had been a deeply unpleasant experience the day before. The young Australian had exited in brutal fashion on Tuesday, whitewashed 5-0 and vocal in his dissatisfaction with certain gamesmanship he felt crossed the line. Yet credit where it’s due – Whitlock wiped the slate clean, regrouped, and did just enough to keep his dream alive. Character revealed under pressure.

Also navigating his way safely into the next phase was Belgium’s Brian Raman, a former Lakeside World Championship quarter-finalist whose pedigree remains unquestioned. Add to that the familiar presence of Ron ‘The Bomb’ Meulenkamp, still detonating enough big moments to stay relevant, and the final dramatic flourish came courtesy of Jimmy Hendriks. The former PDC tour card holder clung on to the very last available place by the thinnest of margins, sliding through the closing door and into Thursday’s cauldron.

Survival achieved. But in truth, the real war has yet to begin.

Top 16 (Stage One – Final Day)

• Bruno Stoeckli (SUI)
• Lennert Faes (BEL)
• Matthias Ehlers (GER)
• Marcel Otter (NED)
• Marc Spalt (GER)
• Patrick Bulen (BEL)
• Ricardo Ulrich (NED)
• Nicolas Thuillier (FRA)
• Michael Marijs (NED)
• Finn Behrens (GER)
• Roger Janssen (BEL)
• Kendji Steinback (NED)
• Nunjo Dewaele (BEL)
• Dominik Cavajda (CZE)
• Jarod Becker (GER)
• Danijel Ozbolt

Top 54 (outside those receiving automatic qualification)

Massimo Dante (ITA), Mylo Michiels (BEL), Frank Bruns (GER), Mason Whitlock (AUS), Peter Kelemen (HUN), Luca Wolff (GER), Brian Raman (BEL), Martin Homola (SVK), Stef Kosters (NED), Tomislav Rosandic (CRO), Moritz Hilger (GER), Jeffrey Keen (NED), Michael Hurtz (GER), Sietse Lap (NED), Liam Maendl-Lawrance (GER), Shane de Jong (NED), Mika Donnevert (GER), Jiri Brejcha (CZE), Davy Robijns (BEL), Jan Boelen (NED), Joachim Duerbeck (GER), Michael Kloenhammer (GER), Maikel Verberk (NED), Jose Justicia (ESP), Dustin Straver (NED), Ron Meulenkamp (NED), Sebastian Steinmetz (GER), Marc Vleghert (NED), Maciej Luczak (POL), Gilbert van der Meijden (NED), Jesus Noguera (ESP), Fabian Bihl (GER), Marcel Walpen (SUI), Michael Van De Ven (NED), Cedric Jeske (GER), Rainer Sturm (AUT), Mitja Gustorf (GER), Lorenzo te Hennepe (NED), Lukasz Karcz (POL), Michael De Meyer (BEL), Damian Mol (NED), Bradley van der Velden (NED), Robin Pietsch (GER), Alexander Michalczyk (GER), Kilian Hohnstedt (GER), Michael Plooy (NED), Miroslaw Grudziecki (POL), Richard Balogh (HUN), Jonny Pedersen (NOR), Pavel Jirkal (CZE), Yorick Hofkens (GER), Wesley van Trijp (NED), Steve Scheers (BEL) and Jimmy Hendriks (NED).

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The son of Aussie icon Simon Whitlock cut a visibly frustrated figure after his campaign screeched to a halt in the last 128, and he wasted no time in lighting the fuse online. Moments after a bruising 5–0 defeat to Germany’s Robin Pietsch, Whitlock headed straight for Instagram and let fly with a post that ricocheted around the darting ecosphere.

“I’ve never in my life dealt with more tactics and blatant cheating. Embarrassing tbh.”

No ambiguity. No soft edges. Just raw, unfiltered emotion from a player who felt wronged in the white heat of one of the sport’s most unforgiving proving grounds. It’s unsure just exactly what Pietsch did to cause the Aussie to react so vehemently but clearly, Whitlock wasn’t impressed with certain antics from his opponent during the match.

What made the outburst all the more combustible was the context. Whitlock’s day had begun with genuine momentum. A solid 5–3 victory over Douwe van Kalkeren in the last 512 was followed by a confident 5–1 dismantling of Stevie Moreira, progress forged with composure and purpose. The gears were turning. The path looked navigable. Then came Pietsch – and the road ended abruptly. Five legs. Zero reply. Curtains.

Whether Whitlock’s accusations were born of genuine grievance or the visceral sting of elimination, the reaction underscored exactly what Q-School does to players. It strips away the pleasantries, amplifies every perceived injustice, and exposes nerves that are stretched to snapping point. This is survival darts. And survival darts does not forgive.

Whilst the youngster wrestled with the fallout, Pietsch pressed on, unbothered and ruthless. The German rode his momentum deep into the evening, eventually reaching the play-off round before his own bid was extinguished in a 5–0 defeat to Dutchman Davy Proosten. Even so, his name was already etched into the day’s narrative – not just for results, but for the storm left in his wake.

For Whitlock, attention now drifts from the oche to the aftermath. Carrying a famous surname guarantees scrutiny, and days like this sharpen it further. Progress, controversy, frustration – all wrapped into a single, volatile afternoon. Q-School rarely offers gentle lessons, and this one landed with a thud.

It’s not all doom and gloom. Mason sits pretty on three points so a decent day tomorrow could see him either sail through via the top sixteen route or accumulate the required amount of points to add to his tally which would then make the cut.

So, European Q-School grinds relentlessly onward, but Whitlock’s defeat this afternoon will linger in the memory – not because of the scoreline, but because of the reaction. In a tournament where dreams are made and shattered in the same breath, emotion is never far from the surface. And sometimes, it spills straight onto the screen.

—–ENDS—–

Images: MODUS

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This was not the year of coronation. Too many early televised exits. Too many grand stages left before the lights had properly warmed. Yes, another couple of Players Championship titles have been quietly bolted onto an already respectable résumé – but that is not where Heta’s hunger lives. He wants the bright lights. He wants the theatre. He wants the nights that echo.

And make no mistake – hunger has never been the issue.

When it comes to dedication, sacrifice and relentless graft, few in the modern game can lace the boots of the 38-year-old. Alongside his wife Meaghan, Heta made the kind of emotionally seismic decision that separates dreamers from doers – leaving behind home, family, friends and familiarity to chase a vision on the other side of the world. This was no romantic punt. It was a calculated, courageous dismantling of comfort. Travel time slashed. Focus sharpened. Destiny pursued with intent.

Since winning the 2019 Brisbane Masters as a non-professional, the Heta household went all in. A roofer by trade, the Perth man looked skyward and decided the ceiling simply wasn’t there. Securing his Tour Card at Q-School turned ambition into occupation, and what was meant to be a two-year stay in the UK swiftly became permanence. Long before the sands of time could drain, Heta had made himself indispensable.

His debut season told you everything. Quarter-finals at both the Grand Slam and Players Championship Finals. A maiden Pro Tour title in Germany. This was not a cameo. This was arrival. Year on year, The Heat has inched upward through the Order of Merit, peaking at world number eight. Nine Players Championship titles. A Euro Tour triumph in Gibraltar. And that unforgettable moment – lifting the World Cup of Darts for Australia alongside Simon Whitlock. And yet, that elusive TV major crown remains stubbornly absent – the one line missing from an otherwise formidable CV. Until that is written, Heta will never feel complete. Nor should he.

If trajectory alone dictated fate, this should have been the year the dam finally burst. Instead, the current has run the other way. Not catastrophe. Not collapse. But concern. From July onwards, beginning with the World Matchplay, the exits came swiftly and cruelly. A first-round defeat to Andrew Gilding in Blackpool despite a ton-plus average set the tone. World Grand Prix. European Championship. Same story. Group-stage elimination at the Grand Slam. Another first-round stumble in Minehead just before Christmas. Momentum evaporated at precisely the wrong time.

So when Heta overcame Steve Lennon at Ally Pally, it felt like oxygen. Relief as much as joy. Victory over Stefan Bellmont followed in an epic, earning a post-Christmas return. But then came the brick wall – a straight-sets defeat to Rob Cross, nudging Heta dangerously close to the top-16 trap door.

Every player endures seasons that test belief. This is Heta’s. And if anyone is forged for such trials, it is the man who crossed hemispheres to chase a flame. Compared to that, correcting a temporary dip is merely maintenance. The Heat will rise again simply because that’s what it does – even in human form.

—–ENDS—–

Images: PDC / T Lanning

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This was Price in full demolition mode. From the opening leg, the Welshman slammed the door shut and swallowed the key, refusing Gawlas even a sniff at double in the first set. The Czech youngster briefly found some daylight in the second, nicking a couple of legs, but the damage was already done.

Price owned the pace, owned the stage, and owned the moment.After the second interval, it was over almost before it restarted. All in all, two Shanghai finishes and a straight sets win. A performance that screamed intent rather than celebration.

The 2021 champion is not here for nostalgia – he is here for business.

Danny Noppert, meanwhile, reminded everyone exactly why writing him off is a terrible idea. The Dutchman produced a superb display to dispatch his young compatriot Jurjen van der Velde, quietly sending a message across the draw that he remains very much part of the conversation.

Five TV ranking semi-finals in a single year does not happen by accident, and while Noppert would trade the lot for silverware, that level of consistency makes him a genuine threat over this distance.Van der Velde deserves huge credit.

The former World Youth Championship runner-up clung on gamely through the opening two sets and matched his countryman for long spells. But darts pivots on moments, and the deciding leg of the third set was the turning point. Had it gone the youngster’s way, the entire complexion changes. It didn’t. It went to Noppert. What followed was brutal.

The final set was Noppie at his blistering best, storming home without concession and flirting with a 110 average. Clinical. Relentless. Over.A glance at the Freezes section of the draw might tempt a flutter. Justin Hood awaits next, and should Happy Feet be sent packing, the path opens further with Ryan Meikle or qualifiers Jonny Tata or Jesus Salate lurking. This is a quarter that suddenly feels very negotiable.

Elsewhere, the trapdoor opened beneath Jose De Sousa. The former Grand Slam champion’s World Championship ended at the hands of Ricardo Pietreczko, confirming the Portuguese star’s drop off the PDC tour. De Sousa had already pulled off one escape act by qualifying at November’s last chance saloon, but only a deep run here could preserve his status. It was not to be.

Pietreczko, to his credit, did exactly what was required. Like the stereotype he happily fulfils, the German was ruthlessly efficient. He pinched the deciding legs in the opening two sets – the kind of moments that decide careers as much as matches. De Sousa battled back, claiming a scrappy five-leg third set to halve the deficit, but the momentum never truly shifted. The Berlin-born 31-year-old closed it out in the fourth.

Next up for Pikachu is either Chizzy or the Queen of the Palace herself, Fallon Sherrock. Whichever it is, he is unlikely to be swimming in Ally Pally affection.For The Special One, though, this does not have to be the end of the story. Yes, it hurts. Yes, it stings. But De Sousa has options – plenty of them. Q-School in Kalkar is firmly on the agenda, and even without immediate success there, the modern darts landscape offers endless routes back. A strong start on the Challenge Tour can earn enough Pro Tour call-ups to make it feel like he never left. Exhibitions will always want him. The name still carries weight. It has been a wild ride. And something tells you Jose De Sousa is not quite done yet.

The night’s final game delivered one of the shocks of the event so far as Joe Comito sent 2025 form horse Nike Springer packing.

The Australian has been in fine shape and recently impressed during the recent ANZ Premier and he used thay experience here to pull of a resounding victory and claim his last 32 spot and an extra £15,000 minimum.

TUESDAY 16th DECEMBER – Evening Session Report

Ricardo Pietreczko 3-1 Jose de Sousa

Danny Noppert 3-1 Jurjen van der Velde

Gerwyn Price 3-0 Adam Gawlas

Joe Comito 3-1 Niko Springer

—–Ends—–

Images: PDC

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The Wizard was in town, and even before a single dart was thrown, he could feel the atmosphere crackling in the rafters.

“Met loads of people and it looks like a really good atmosphere out there so it should be a good night.” said the Aussie legend speaking exclusively to Darts World.

For a player who’s travelled every corner of the darting planet, it takes a lot to impress him — yet Leeds was merely the latest stop on a journey that has carried him quite literally halfway across the world.

Because not long ago, Whitlock was back in Australia doing something that meant more than most fans realised: claiming the inaugural ANZ Premier League and therefore, earning his way back to the World Championship. And when he snatched that golden ticket on home soil, it hit him with a force he didn’t even try to hide.

“Honestly that was probably one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.” If that’s where the story  ended, it would already have been a triumph. But this is Simon Whitlock — the man whose career has been fuelled for two decades by grit, stubbornness and an unshakeable belief that one more run is always possible. He didn’t walk through the ferocious weekly nights. He battled through it. Raymond Smith, Johnny Tata, Tim Pusey … an eight man field stacked with many of the very best tungsten throwers Down Under has to offer.

“It was really difficult… Raymond was probably the best player there throughout the whole competition but the best thing was I performed on the night I had to.” And in classic Whitlock fashion, when the moment arrived, the Wizard ignited. He took Johnny Tata in the semis. Then roared into the final against Smith, aka The Guru, with a statement start — a lead he knew would be essential.

“It’s important getting a lead on anyone… He’s such a quality player and a very steady player so I knew if I got in front I could just hold on and win.” And then came the finish — the kind of poetic ending that only a man of his flair could produce. “The perfect seven darts at the end was a great way to win it.” Not just qualification. Redemption.

For Whitlock, Alexandra Palace isn’t a venue. It’s a second home. A place of roaring crowds, big nights, heartbreaks, and miracles. Missing last year hurt. Coming back? It feels like breathing again.

“I feel like I’ve got no pressure on me this time and I feel like I’m in really good form so I could be a very dangerous person in it.”

His first-round opponent is Conor Scott — a man who once threw darts modelled on Whitlock’s own.

“Yeah, he used my darts many years ago… I’ve beaten Conor a few times, he’s beaten me a few times so it should be a good match-up.” There were tougher draws available, names you’d rather not see glaring at you from the bracket. “There’s a few you want to avoid like Littler, Luke Humphries and Van Gerwen so yeah, I’m pretty happy with the draw.”

For a man who’s lost a tour card, fought back through qualifiers, and rebuilt his technique brick by brick… this isn’t pressure. This is opportunity. “I’ve put a lot of work in over the last twelve months… just try to do things right and get my game back on track.”

If fans were hoping the Wizard would be headed to Q-School in January for one more charge… well, the body has its own veto power. “No, no, I just can’t see myself doing Q-School… I’d love to, like the mind wants to, the body says no.” He still believes he’s good enough — that much is clear. But five punishing days chasing a card? The tank simply won’t allow it.

Instead, the Aussie will explore other boards — ADC, WDF, the MODUS Super Series — whatever path lets him compete without crushing the body that has carried him through two decades of battles. “I’ll just take things one day at a time now and just enjoy the game and no pressure.” Las Vegas in January is calling. And Whitlock, ever the adventurer, is ready to roll the dice Stateside too.

The Beard To Be Feared doesn’t do false modesty. His goal is bold, clear, and unequivocal: “Make the final, I’d love to make it that far, I believe I can.” After all, he’s famously been there before. One game at a time. One hill at a time. One victory at a time.

This isn’t a man dreaming recklessly. This is a man who knows exactly how dangerous he can be when the rhythm returns, when the arm loosens, when the beard bristles in the lights of the Palace.

The money? Forget it. “I don’t really think about the money… money’s not important, just playing darts is important to me.” That’s Whitlock. A craftsman. A competitor. A survivor. A magician who still believes in his own spellbook.

And as the lights rise on Ally Pally, and the crowd roars over North London, one thing is certain:

The Wizard is back — and there’s still magic left in that wand.

——ENDS——

Images: PDC

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