Jonny Clayton of Wales secured his inaugural New Zealand Darts Masters championship with an 8-4 victory over fellow Welsh player Gerwyn Price in the final held in Auckland.
Clayton’s path to the title was marked by successive victories against higher-ranked opposition. The 51-year-old defeated top-seeded Gian van Veen and England’s James Wade to advance to the championship match. In the final itself, Clayton demonstrated precise finishing, converting checkouts of 72, 158, 80, and 62 points as he built a dominant 5-1 lead early in the contest.
Price, who had claimed victory in the 2022 edition of this event, managed to win three consecutive legs late in the match to narrow the deficit. However, Clayton’s strong position proved insurmountable, and he sealed the title with a 124-point checkout. Clayton remarked after his victory that competing against his World Cup partner provided enjoyment, referencing their shared rugby backgrounds and expressing optimism about future matchups.
Price reached the final after defeating Australian competitor Damon Heta 6-2 and Raymond Smith 7-2 in earlier rounds. Despite the loss, Price acknowledged Clayton’s superior performance and noted that his own doubles accuracy was subpar throughout the match. Price, a four-time World Series title holder, indicated plans to continue competing in upcoming tournaments.
The World Series of Darts regular season continues next weekend with the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong, followed by the Finals scheduled for 17 to 20 September in Amsterdam.
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