Price Shines in Auckland Opener as Humphries Begins Title Defence at New Zealand Darts Masters
Price Shines in Auckland Opener as Humphries Begins Title Defence at New Zealand Darts Masters
Gerwyn Price produced a high-class display to overcome Jonny Tata on the opening night of the 2025 SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters, while reigning champion Luke Humphries successfully launched his defence in Auckland.
The action at the Spark Arena got off to a lively start on Friday as the 2022 winner Price began his hunt for a second New Zealand Masters crown in style. Averaging an impressive 103.6 and firing in seven maximums, the Welshman triumphed 6-4 over DPNZ number one Tata in front of a buzzing Kiwi crowd.
Price even came within a whisker of perfection in the fifth leg, missing double 12 for a nine-darter. Tata, cheered on by home support, hit back with some sharp finishing to stay in the contest, but the former world champion held his nerve to seal the win and move into the last eight.
“The atmosphere was buzzing tonight,” Price said afterwards. “I felt like I was playing really well, but Jonny hit some timely finishes and kept himself in the game. I’m here to win, I’m here to give it my all, and hopefully I’ll be the one lifting that trophy tomorrow.”
Price will now meet Northern Ireland’s World Cup winner Josh Rock in a mouth-watering quarter-final clash. Rock also impressed in his New Zealand debut, averaging just shy of 100 in a confident 6-2 victory over qualifier John Hurring, booking a spot in back-to-back World Series quarter-finals.
Friday’s opening round produced a clean sweep for the eight PDC stars against their Oceanic challengers.
Humphries, the current world number one, overcame a determined effort from New Zealand’s Haupai Puha to win 6-3. Although far from his peak form, the defending champion strung together four legs in a row to take control, before withstanding an 11-darter from Puha to cross the line.
“Hopefully tomorrow I can be the Luke Humphries everybody knows,” he admitted. “It’s no secret I’m going through a tough spell at the moment. I might be trying too hard, but one good day tomorrow and everything can change.”
Fresh off lifting the Australian Darts Masters title in Wollongong last week, Luke Littler kept his winning streak alive with a 6-4 success over Mark Cleaver. The teenage sensation, who has now won nine matches in a row, produced consecutive 13-dart legs to see off the experienced Kiwi.
Stephen Bunting, chasing the top spot in the World Series rankings, battled past five-time World Championship qualifier Ben Robb with a 6-3 victory. Bunting now faces Chris Dobey, who fought back from 2-0 down to beat Australian stalwart Simon Whitlock, winning four of the last five legs.
Elsewhere, Mike De Decker continued his breakout form by dismantling Gordon Mathers 6-1. The Belgian number one, who reached last week’s Australian Masters final, dropped just one leg in a dominant performance. Damon Heta matched that scoreline against World Series debutant Dean Reyland, controlling the match from start to finish.
The results set up a blockbuster Saturday at the Spark Arena, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final all taking place in a single bumper session.
The evening will open with Bunting and Dobey battling for a semi-final spot, followed by a high-profile rematch between Humphries and Heta – a repeat of last year’s New Zealand Masters final. Littler and De Decker will also meet again after contesting last weekend’s title decider in Wollongong, while Price and Rock’s clash promises fireworks in the third quarter-final.
With every remaining player capable of lifting the trophy, fans can expect a thrilling conclusion to the seventh event of the 2025 World Series of Darts.
Price Shines in Auckland Opener as Humphries Begins Title Defence at New Zealand Darts Masters
2025 SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters
Friday August 15
First Round
Mike De Decker 6-1 Gordon Mathers
Josh Rock 6-2 John Hurring
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Jonny Tata
Damon Heta 6-1 Dean Reyland
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Ben Robb
Luke Humphries 6-3 Haupai Puha
Luke Littler 6-4 Mark Cleaver
Chris Dobey 6-4 Simon Whitlock
Saturday August 16 (1900 NZST)
Quarter-Finals
Stephen Bunting v Chris Dobey
Luke Humphries v Damon Heta
Gerwyn Price v Josh Rock
Luke Littler v Mike De Decker
Best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals
Bunting/Dobey v Humphries/Heta
Price/Rock v Littler/De Decker
Best of 13 legs
Final
v
Best of 15 legs
All Saturday matches to be played in Draw Bracket order.
