The recent Australian Darts Masters set the stage for the PDC circuit to move on to Hamilton, New Zealand, for the highly anticipated fourth edition of the New Zealand Darts Masters. The tournament, which was first introduced in 2019 at the Claudelands Arena in Hamilton, made a return to the calendar after a two-year hiatus in 2022.
The debut of the New Zealand Darts Masters in 2019 brought some of the biggest names in darts to the southern hemisphere. Players like Peter Wright, Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, and Gary Anderson made the trip to New Zealand, with Van Gerwen ultimately dominating the tournament with an 8-1 victory over Raymond van Barneveld in the final.
After being scrapped in 2020 and 2021, the tournament made a triumphant return in 2022 with a lineup that featured stars like Dimitri van den Bergh, Gerwyn Price, and Jonny Clayton. The final saw Price emerge victorious over Clayton with an 8-4 victory in an all-Welsh showdown.
In the following year, the New Zealand Darts Masters showcased another exciting lineup of players, including names like Nathan Aspinall, Peter Wright, and Gerwyn Price. The final once again featured two Englishmen, with Rob Cross narrowly defeating Aspinall in an 8-7 thriller.
Just like with every World Series event, the New Zealand Darts Masters boasts a field of eight top PDC players and eight regional representatives. However, Michael van Gerwen will once again be absent from the tournament due to recent dental surgery.
Returning champion Gerwyn Price and last week’s runner-up Luke Littler are set to compete alongside other top players like Rob Cross, Michael Smith, and Peter Wright. Oceania will be represented by familiar names like Simon Whitlock, Haupai Puha, and Ben Robb.
Following his impressive victory in Wollongong last week, Gerwyn Price is considered one of the top favorites for this weekend’s title. He put on a strong performance in the final against Luke Littler and is expected to continue his winning streak. Luke Humphries, who surprisingly fell short last week, is also a contender to watch, especially with his undeniable talent.
While Luke Littler showcased his skills last week, fatigue may be a concern following the long journey to Hamilton. Michael Smith, who performed well in Australia, remains a serious threat for the title if he can maintain his form from last week.
In summary, the competition in Hamilton promises to be fierce, with top players like Gerwyn Price, Luke Humphries, Michael Smith, and Luke Littler all vying for the prestigious New Zealand Darts Masters title.
