Preview New Zealand Darts Masters 2024: Can Rob Cross defend his title in Hamilton?

After last week's Australian Darts Masters, the PDC circuit has traveled on to Hamilton, New Zealand, for the fourth edition of the New Zealand Darts Masters.

This tournament was first held in 2019 at the Claudelands Arena in Hamilton. After a two-year absence, it returned to the calendar again in 2022.

The New Zealand Darts Masters had its debut in 2019. Peter Wright, Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Daryl Gurney, Gary Anderson, Simon Whitlock, James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld made the trip to New Zealand. In the end, it turned out to be a Dutch final between 'MvG' & 'Barney', where Van Gerwen was ultimately far too strong, winning 8-1.

In 2020 and 2021, the PDC decided to scrap the tournament, but returned a year later in 2022. This time Dimitri van den Bergh, Joe Cullen, James Wade, Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton, Michael Smith and Fallon Sherrock were the PDC Tour Card Holders allowed to participate. It came down to another final between compatriots. Gerwyn Price took on Jonny Clayton and managed to beat his good friend 8-4 for the title.

Last year again saw a number of new names in New Zealand. Gerwyn Price, Danny Noppert, Peter Wright, Rob Cross, Michael Smith, Damon Heta, Dimitri van den Bergh and Nathan Aspinall had to fight out who was the best. You might have guessed it, but it turned out to be another final between two compatriots, this time between two Englishmen. Rob Cross was ultimately the stronger of the two, beating Nathan Aspinall 8-7.

As with every World Series tournament, the field of participants consists of eight PDC top players and eight players from the region where the tournament is being played. Michael van Gerwen, like last weekend in Australia, will still be absent due to his recent surgery on his teeth.

Last week's winner Gerwyn Price also returns this time around, along with runner-up Luke Littler. In addition, we will see defending champion Rob Cross, Luke Humphries, Michael Smith, Peter Wright, Dimitri van den Bergh and Damon Heta on stage.

From Oceania, Simon Whitlock, Haupai Puha and Ben Robb will be the best-known names participating. Also participating in the competition will be Jonny Tata, Mark Cleaver, Kayden Milne, Jeremy Fagg and Daniel Snookes.

After his victory in Wollongong last week, Gerwyn Price is one of the top favorites for the title this weekend as far as we are concerned. He played very strong both days, and managed to impress especially in the final against Luke Littler. Besides Price, we consider Luke Humphries another top favorite. Last week, he surprisingly lost to Van den Bergh and seemed out of place. However, with his talent, he is always someone to be reckoned with, especially when things start to pick up for the current world champion.

Luke Littler is also someone to always be reckoned with. However, the youngster looked a bit tired in the final last week, possibly due to the long travel, so it remains to be seen how he will fare here in Hamilton. Michael Smith played very well at the Australian Darts Masters but was unlucky that Littler managed to throw even better. If he can maintain his level from last week, he is a serious contender for the title.

As outsiders, we currently consider Rob Cross and Peter Wright. Cross is the defending champion in Hamilton, so he knows what it's like to win here. It all seemed to fall just short last week, but 'Voltage' in good form is always a dangerous customer. And then Peter Wright. It all seemed to finally fall into place again in Wollongong. His game looked tight and he came up just 1 leg short against Price to reach the final. If 'Snakebite' decides not to change darts this time, which always remains the big question prior to a tournament, he could also aim high in New Zealand.

*** Gerwyn Price, Luke Humphries

** Luke Littler, Michael Smith

* Rob Cross, Peter Wright

First round: Best of 11 legs

Quarterfinals: Best of 11 legs

Semifinals: Best of 13 legs

Final: Best of 15 legs

The New Zealand Darts Masters will be broadcast on ITV4 and PDC TV. On Friday, August 16, at 8:00 a.m., the first round will kick off. In this round, the eight PDC top players will take on eight players from Oceania. Playing on behalf of the PDC are Luke Humphries, Michael Smith, Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price, Rob Cross, Peter Wright, Dimitri van den Bergh and Damon Heta. It will be shown on delay on ITV at 5pm and 6pm respectively.

The prize pool for this event includes a total of 60,000 pounds. However, the prize money won does not count toward the PDC Order of Merit or other money rankings.

All participants are guaranteed £1,250 in prize money. This amount could eventually rise to a sum of £20,000 in prize money for the winner.

All participants in a World Series tournament are guaranteed one point for the World Series Order of Merit. This number increases to three points upon reaching the quarterfinals, and then to five points for a semifinal place. The losing finalist receives eight points and the winner receives 12 points.

Peter Wright v Daniel Snookes

Dimitri Van den Bergh v Mark Cleaver

Michael Smith v Jeremy Fagg

Luke Humphries v Kayden Milne

Gerwyn Price v Ben Robb

Rob Cross v Haupai Puha

Luke Littler v Jonny Tata

Damon Heta v Simon Whitlock

Quarterfinal

Semifinals

Final