Gerwyn Price won through a thrilling affair against Jonny Tata on the opening night of the SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters, as Luke Humphries opened his title defence with victory in Auckland.
2022 champion Price began his bid for a second New Zealand Darts Masters title in style at the Spark Arena, averaging 103.6 and landing seven 180s to celebrate a 6-4 success against the DPNZ number one.
The Welshman also missed double 12 for a nine-darter in leg five of the contest, before defying a stirring fightback from the home favourite to come through a high-quality contest.
“The atmosphere was buzzing tonight,” reflected Price, who will take on Northern Ireland’s World Cup champion Josh Rock in the last eight.
“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 lift that trophy tomorrow.”
Rock also impressed on his Auckland bow, averaging 99.87 to defeat DPNZ qualifier John Hurring 6-2 and secure his place in back-to-back World Series of Darts quarter-finals.
Friday’s first round saw the eight PDC superstars complete a clean sweep against their Oceanic counterparts, as Humphries made a winning start on his return to New Zealand.
The world number one was nowhere near his blistering best, despite running out a 6-3 winner against New Zealand’s number one Haupai Puha.
Humphries reeled off four straight legs to seize control of the contest, before defying an 11-darter from Puha to confirm his progress.
“Hopefully tomorrow I can be the Luke Humphries that everybody knows,” declared the reigning champion.
“It’s no secret that I’m going through a difficult patch at the moment.
“It’s hard work because I’m struggling through it, and maybe I’m trying too hard, but one good day tomorrow and everything can change.”
Fresh from his exploits in Wollongong, Luke Littler began his bid for back-to-back titles with a 6-4 win against Mark Cleaver, firing in back-to-back 13-darters to fend off the veteran New Zealander.
Stephen Bunting moved closer to confirming top spot on the World Series of Darts rankings, courtesy of his battling 6-3 victory against five-time World Championship qualifier Ben Robb.
Bunting’s reward is a meeting with world number seven Chris Dobey, who won four of the last five legs to complete a comeback victory over Australian icon Simon Whitlock.
Elsewhere, Mike De Decker and Damon Heta completed the quarter-final line-up with emphatic 6-1 wins over Gordon Mathers and Dean Reyland respectively.
De Decker – the runner-up at last weekend’s Australian Darts Masters – continued his fine form on his Auckland debut, before Heta swept aside big stage debutant Reyland to kick off his title challenge.
Following Friday’s action, the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will take place on a bumper final session at the Spark Arena on Saturday evening.
Humphries and Heta will renew their rivalry in a repeat of last year’s New Zealand final, while Littler and De Decker also go head-to-head following their clash in last weekend’s Australian Darts Masters final.
Price and Rock will do battle in the evening’s third quarter-final, with Bunting and Dobey locking horns in Saturday’s opening last eight tie.
The 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters is being broadcast live on Sky in New Zealand and Fox Sports in Australia, through DAZN in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and on PDCTV in all other global territories.
UK fans can also watch live on PDCTV and ITVX, with delayed coverage on ITV4 beginning from 1900 BST on Friday, and 1700 BST on Saturday.
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.