Luke Littler will bid for back-to-back World Series of Darts titles down under in this week’s New Zealand Darts Masters.
A week after claiming his first World Series title of the year in Australia, Littler is again joined by seven other leading PDC stars – including world No 1 and defending tournament champion Luke Humphries – at the event in Auckland from Friday.
As usual, the eight PDC regulars have been drawn against local players from the region in Friday’s first round, with Humphries pitched against New Zealand’s own No 1 player, Haupai Puha.
Littler faces Mark Cleaver, while Stephen Bunting is up against five-time World Darts Championship qualifier Ben Robb.
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Luke Littler wins the Australian Darts Masters to secure his third World Series of Darts title! Credit: ITV Sport
There is a familiar face for world No 7 Chris Dobey, who has been drawn against Australian Simon ‘The Wizard’ Whitlock, the 2010 World Darts Championship runner-up.
The eight winners from the first round progress to Saturday’s action when the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final all take place. Play begins at 8am UK time on both days of the tournament.
The New Zealand Darts Masters is the final event in the World Series before the tournament finals in Amsterdam from September 12-14.
New Zealand Darts Masters draw
Draw Bracket
(1) Stephen Bunting vs Ben Robb
Chris Dobey vs Simon Whitlock
(4) Luke Humphries vs Haupai Puha
Damon Heta vs Dean Reyland
(2) Gerwyn Price vs Jonny Tata
Josh Rock vs John Hurring
(3) Luke Littler vs Mark Cleaver
Mike De Decker vs Gordon Mathers
New Zealand Darts Masters schedule and results
Friday August 15
First round (best of 11 legs)
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 (from 8am UK time)
Quarter-finals (best of 11 legs)
Chris Dobey 6-3 Stephen Bunting
Luke Humphries 6-2 Damon Heta
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Josh Rock
Luke Littler 6-2 Mike De Decker
Semi-Finals
Dobey vs Humphries
Price vs Littler
Best of 13 legs
Final
Best of 15 legs
All Saturday matches to be played in Draw Bracket order.
Live darts is back on Sky Sports from October 6-12 as the BoyleSports World Grand Prix is held in Leicester.