Heta and Rock Shine in Wollongong as the PDC Stars are untouchable at the Australian Darts Masters
Heta and Rock Shine in Wollongong as the PDC Stars are untouchable at the Australian Darts Masters
Damon Heta lit up the opening night of the KenoGO Australian Darts Masters with a performance that had the home crowd roaring, producing one of the finest displays ever seen on his return to Australian soil.
The nation’s number one was in unstoppable form at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, storming past two-time World Championship qualifier James Bailey without dropping a leg. His 6–0 victory came with a dazzling 109.98 average and four ton-plus finishes, a display of clinical precision that set the benchmark for the tournament.
Right from the off, Heta signalled his intent, kicking off the match with back-to-back 121 checkouts before adding finishes of 117 and 104 to complete the rout. The dominant showing ensures a blockbuster quarter-final meeting on Saturday with reigning World Champion Luke Littler.
“I just felt at home up there,” Heta reflected after the match. “To produce that in front of friends and family means a lot. I’m always grateful for the support when I come back here, and hopefully I can keep that momentum going tomorrow.”
PDC Clean Sweep in First Round
Friday’s opening round saw the eight PDC stars enjoy a perfect record against their Oceanic rivals, with Josh Rock making a dream start to his first World Series event Down Under.
The Northern Irish talent delivered a 108.16 average in a commanding 6–1 win over Australian darts legend Simon Whitlock. Rock’s power scoring included four 180s, while he maintained an impressive six-from-eight on doubles.
“I didn’t really feel the nerves,” Rock admitted. “Playing here for the first time was a great experience, and I’m thrilled with how I played.”
Rock’s next challenge will come from top seed Stephen Bunting, who matched the scoreline in dispatching newcomer Brody Klinge. Bunting looked sharp throughout, with Klinge’s highlight being a brilliant 161 checkout in leg six to avoid a whitewash. The Englishman sealed the win in style with a 14-dart leg.
Price Starts Strong in Title Defence
Reigning champion Gerwyn Price began his defence with a solid 6–3 victory over Joe Comito, the DPA’s number one player. Price averaged 100.45 in a match that saw Comito twice open legs with five perfect darts, giving the Welshman something to think about.
“I wasn’t at my absolute best, but a win’s a win,” Price said afterwards. “Joe hit some timely scores that kept me under pressure, but winning builds confidence – and that’s what I’m after this weekend.”
Price will face Chris Dobey in Saturday’s quarter-finals after Dobey recovered from 4–2 down to reel off four straight legs and defeat Tim Pusey.
Humphries and Littler Advance After Early Scares
World number one Luke Humphries had to dig deep against New Zealand’s Jonny Tata, overturning a 2–0 deficit before racing away with the match 6–3. A blistering mid-game run of 13, 13 and 12-dart legs proved the difference.
“The most important thing is the win,” Humphries said. “I started poorly, but sometimes being behind brings out my best darts, and that’s what happened tonight.”
Meanwhile, Luke Littler was pushed all the way by Haupai Puha in a tense last-leg decider. Puha thrilled the crowd with back-to-back 12-darters to lead 4–3, but Littler steadied himself to cross the finish line 6–5.
De Decker Marks Debut with Victory
Another debutant, Mike De Decker, enjoyed a winning start in the World Series with a 6–2 triumph over fellow first-timer Brandon Weening. The Belgian impressed with a 60% success rate on doubles, taking out six from ten attempts to book a mouthwatering quarter-final with Humphries – a repeat of last October’s World Grand Prix final.
Finals Day Awaits
With the first round complete, all eyes now turn to Finals Day on Saturday. The evening session will open with Bunting against Rock, followed by the highly anticipated Heta vs Littler clash. Price will meet Dobey, before Humphries and De Decker renew their rivalry.
If opening night was anything to go by, the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in the Australian Darts Masters.
Heta and Rock Shine in Wollongong as the PDC Stars are untouchable at the Australian Darts Masters
2025 KenoGO Australian Darts Masters
Friday August 8
First Round
Mike De Decker 6-2 Brandon Weening
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Joe Comito
Stephen Bunting 6-1 Brody Klinge
Luke Humphries 6-3 Jonny Tata
Damon Heta 6-0 James Bailey
Luke Littler 6-5 Haupai Puha
Josh Rock 6-1 Simon Whitlock
Chris Dobey 6-4 Tim Pusey
Saturday August 9 (1900 AEST)
Quarter-Finals
Stephen Bunting v Josh Rock
Luke Littler v Damon Heta
Gerwyn Price v Chris Dobey
Luke Humphries v Mike De Decker
Best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals
Bunting/Rock v Littler/Heta
Price/Dobey v Humphries/De Decker
Best of 13 legs
Final
v
Best of 15 legs
