Brody Klinge stuns Ross Smith at the Australian Darts Masters

Brody Klinge pulled off a superb scalp of Ross Smith on the opening day of the 2026 Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong on Friday.

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 Smith in a deciding-leg epic.

Smith crashed in eight maximums in a thrilling contest, but was ultimately punished for squandering two match darts in the decider, as Klinge inflicedted a second successive first round exit Down Under for the Englishman.

“I’m over the moon with that. That was the adrenaline rush of my life,” said Klinge, who averaged 96 to Smith’s 102.8.

“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 showdown against Gian van Veen on Saturday, after the world number two conjured up a spectacular 161 checkout to wrap up a clinical 6-3 win over Raymond Smith.

However, the performance of the night was produced by James Wade – who averaged 112.7 in a 6-0 whitewash of Tim Pusey.

Wade’s average was the second-highest recorded in a World Series event in Australia, and he capped off an imperious display with a sensational 164 checkout.

“That felt amazing. Everything just fell into my hands there,” admitted Wade.

“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!”

Meanwhile, 2024 champion Gerwyn Price will face Josh Rock in Saturday’s quarter-finals, as the Welshman sets his sights on a second Australian Darts Masters title.

Price surged to a 6-2 victory over Australian icon Simon 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.

Jonny Clayton 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 102.4 in his 6-2 thumping of fellow countryman Joe Comito, pinning 55 per cent of his attempts at doubles to safely progress on home soil.

The evening’s other tie saw Stephen Bunting return to winning ways in Wollongong courtesy of a 6-3 win over Mal Cuming – who threatened a late fightback despite trailing 3-0.

Australian Darts Masters 2026 Day One Results

Friday August 21

First Round

Ross Smith 5-6 Brody Klinge
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