Darts down under: PDC stars set to shine in return to Oz

Once a year, the PDC sends eight of its finest halfway around the globe as the World Series of Darts heads Down Under. Or at least the ones who fancy flying around the continent playing darts over family trips to Disneyworld and the Dominican Republic.

In recent years, the tour features one event in Australia followed by a quick hop across the Tasman Sea – affectionately known as The Ditch – to New Zealand.

Formerly dubbed the New South Wales Masters, it’s now branded the KenoGO Australian Masters, and for the fourth consecutive year it’ll be staged in possibly the most Aussie-sounding place name imaginable: Wollongong.

Last year, Gerwyn Price lifted the trophy, comfortably dismantling Luke Littler 8-1 in the final. Not something you see happening very often to that particular kid. Price’s celebratory roars for 180s, big finishes and that title win could probably be heard reverberating as far as the Great Barrier Reef.

This year, The Iceman returns alongside the top dogs on the PDC rankings, lovingly dubbed “The Two Lukes.” Think the Two Ronnies, but younger, less funny, and infinitely better at darts. Stephen Bunting is currently seeded first – mostly because he’s spent the year either winning these events or popping up in the finals with alarming regularity. He will be gutted that wasn’t how it went down on the Premier League roadshow - perhaps needed to travel further than Leeds and Manchester to really stick it to the other lads.

Former champion Rob Cross makes the trip again, and national hero Damon Heta – who was going anyway – now joins the PDC squad. Mr & Mrs Heat will do their normal ‘stop off in Perth and see the family’ bit before heading to NSW and Damo’s bump-up opens the door for another Oceanic hopeful. Rounding out the elite eight are two debutants: Josh Rock and Mike De Decker.

As always, Simon Whitlock will be present. You can’t mention Australian darts without The Wizard – much like you can’t mention Neighbours without someone bringing up Kylie Minogue.

Also repping the Oceanic side is PDC Pro Tour Card holder and all-round friendly bloke Haupai Puha. They’ll be joined by Joe Comito, Brody Klinge, Tim Pusey, Brandon Weening, James Bailey, and Jonny Tata.

It all kicks off on 8th August and runs over two nights. Round one on night one, then quarters to final on the second.

After that, the lads leap back over the water for the SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters. The PDC eight remain the same, but the Oceanic line-up rotates to reflect the Kiwi rankings.

New faces to refelct the Kiwi national rankings include Mark Cleaver, John Hurring, Ben Robb, Dean Reyland, and Gordon Mathers, with Whitlock, Puha, and Tata doing the double-header.

This time, Auckland steps back into the spotlight, replacing last year’s host city and fellow North Island hot spot, Hamilton. Luke Humphries won there in 2023, breezing past Damon Heta 8-2. Auckland last hosted in 2018, so it’s a long-awaited return for the fans there. Saves them a 150 mile trip anyway this year.

Right, I’m off to put the kettle on whilst John McDonald oversees the Aussie Masters draw. Then I will have my brew and come back to go through it.

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World Champion Luke Littler – last year’s runner-up to Price – will be up against New Zealand’s finest, Haupai Puha. Meanwhile, world number one Luke Humphries will face Puha’s compatriot Jonny Tata in a battle for a spot in the quarter-finals.

Northern Ireland’s World Cup-winning skipper, Josh Rock will make his World Series debut against Australian icon Simon Whitlock, in what’s expected to be one of Friday’s standout ties. If you like your darts with a touch of drama, this one’s for you. Meanwhile, World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker, also on a maiden World Series voyage, will face-off against newcomer Brandon Weening.

Australian number one Damon Heta will make his return to home soil against two-time World Championship qualifier James Bailey. Top seed Stephen Bunting is drawn against rising star Brody Klinge, which should provide more sparks than .... well, a sparkler I guess.

Elsewhere, world number seven Chris Dobey will begin his campaign against Australia’s Tim Pusey, who’s making a return to World Series action after a six-year hiatus. No big deal, just your average darting comeback story.