Modra wins Simon Whitlock Trophy to seal World Series return

Rob Modra (DPA)

Rob Modra will make his big stage return at the Australian Darts Masters in August, after lifting the Simon Whitlock Trophy in Geelong last weekend.

Modra - a two-time Auckland Darts Masters qualifier - will make his third World Series of Darts appearance in Wollongong this summer, after claiming the most ranking points across the second weekend of DPA ProTour action in 2024.

Geelong Greyhound Racing Club played host to Events 4-6 last weekend, with Modra defeating Joe Comito 6-4 to clinch the opening event of the treble-header.

The 51-year-old followed up a deciding-leg win over Harley Kemp with a semi-final success against Brody Klinge, before reeling off three straight legs to deny Comito in a hard-fought final.

However, Modra's bid for back-to-back titles came to an end in the Event Five quarter-finals, following a deciding-leg defeat to Jeremy Fagg.

Fagg averaged 100.66 as he fought back from 4-1 down to triumph, reeling off four consecutive legs in 11, 15, 19 and 13 darts to complete a superb comeback.

Having also denied Joe Comito in a last-leg thriller, Fagg came through another decider in his semi-final showdown against Kemp, to set up a clash against Brenton Lloyd.

Lloyd sealed his Australian Darts Masters qualification after winning the Russell Stewart Trophy in February, although he was denied a second DPA ProTour title of 2024, with Fagg running out a resounding 6-3 winner.

In a repeat of February's treble-header, former PDC Tour Card Holder Gordon Mathers rounded off the weekend's action with glory on Sunday, overcoming Klinge 3-1 in sets to secure his second DPA title of 2024.

The former World Series of Darts semi-finalist averaged 97 in his quarter-final win over Mal Cuming and whitewashed Dave Marland in the last four, before averaging 99.25 to topple Klinge and celebrate Event Six success.

Despite bowing out in the quarter-finals, Modra ended the weekend's treble-header with the most ranking points, as he became the second Australian representative to confirm a place in August's World Series of Darts event in Wollongong.

The DPA ProTour will resume on June 15-16, with Events 7-9 set to take place in Albury, New South Wales, as Australia's top stars continue their bids for World Series of Darts and World Darts Championship qualification.

2024 DPA Pro Tour
Saturday April 6, Geelong
Event Four
Semi-Finals

Rob Modra 6-3 Brody Klinge
Joe Comito 6-4 Mal Cuming

Final
Rob Modra 6-4 Joe Comito

Event Five
Semi-Finals

Jeremy Fagg 6-5 Harley Kemp
Brenton Lloyd 6-1 James Bailey

Final
Jeremy Fagg 6-3 Brenton Lloyd

Sunday April 7
Event Six
Semi-Finals

Gordon Mathers 3-0 Dave Marland
Brody Klinge 3-0 Brandon Weening

Final
Gordon Mathers 3-1 Brody Klinge