Preview Friday New Zealand Darts Masters: Gerwyn Price, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries lead title fight in Auckland

The first round of the New Zealand Darts Masters 2025 is scheduled for Friday morning, August 15. Eight of the PDC's top darts players, including Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries will hope to bring the title back home in Auckland.

The tournament in New Zealand is the seventh event on the World Series of Darts calendar and will be held for the fifth time this year. In 2019, the New Zealand Darts Masters was on the schedule for the first time, and after and break of two years due to corona, it returned as a fixture on the calendar as of 2022.

Last year's edition was won by the current No. 1 on the PDC Order of Merit: Luke Humphries. At the time, 'Cool Hand Luke' was 8-2 too strong for Australian Damon Heta in the final.
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Mike de Decker v Gordon Mathers

The morning will kick off with a duel between Mike De Decker and Gordon Mathers. De Decker impressed during his debut Down Under last week by reaching the final of the Australian Darts Masters. In that final he had to give way to Luke Littler, but the Belgian will hope he can take this form to New Zealand. His opponent in the first round will be Gordon Mathers. The 43-year-old Australian will enter the tournament for the second time, after losing 6-5 to James Wade in the first round on his debut in 2022. 'GG' will need to be in good spirits if he is to improve on this result against an in-form Mike De Decker.

Player Details: Mike De Decker

Josh Rock v John Hurring

After De Decker, it's time for "Rocky" Josh Rock, who takes on New Zealand player John Hurring. Rock did not make it past the quarterfinals in Australia, where he went down 6-0 against Stephen Bunting. In the first round, however, he was far too strong for Simon Whitlock with an average of over 108, indicating that he is defi nitely in good shape. For Hurring, it will be his debut at the New Zealand Darts Masters. The 40-year-old is active on the DPNZ and managed to qualify via that route. On paper, Rock should be far too strong for Hurring at the moment, but a surprise is always a possibility.

Player Details: Josh Rock

Gerwyn Price v Jonny Tata

The third match of the evening features two gentlemen who were also both present in Australia last week, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Tata. Price managed to defeat Joe Comito 6-3 in the first round last weekend, posting an average of just over 100. In the next round, however, he went dow n 6-4 to Chris Dobey. Tata started his match against Humphries well and even led 2-0. After that, however, he had to give way to the former world champion. In the end, the match ended 6-3. Normally Price would be the favorite to reach the next round, but Tata is a dangerous customer and on a good day can certainly put 'The Iceman' in trouble.

Player Details: Gerwyn Price

Damon Heta v Dean Reyland

Next in action is Australi an Damon Heta against Dean Reyland. 'The Heat' impressed in his first-round match last weekend by defeating James Bailey 6-0, notching an average of a whopping 109.98. Little is known about Reyland. The New Zealander is active on the PDC New Zealand Tour, but outside of that there are virtually no results to be found. Because of this, Heta seems to be the towering favorite beforehand, but with little information about his opponent, a surprise might just come out of the hat.

Player Details: Damon Heta

Stephen Bunting v Ben Robb

In the fifth match, the No. 1 seed on the World Series of Darts Order of Merit will be in action as Stephen Bunting takes on Ben Robb. Bunting has performed well at the World Series so far and has quite a buffer with an £8,000 lead over No. 2 Gerwyn Price. 'The Bullet' also managed to reach the semifinals again last week, and with a go od run in New Zealand he can secure his first spot ahead of the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam next month. However, then he will first have to deal with Ben Robb, one of New Zealand's best-known players. 'Big Rig' has attended all previous editions, but only managed to survive the first round once (in 2019). Robb is not in the best period of his career and with Bunting's form at the World Series tournaments, 'The Bullet' should normally make it to the next round.

Player Details: Stephen Bunting

Luke Humphries v Haupai Puha

Then time is up for the current No. 1 in the world: Luke Humphries. 'Cool Hand Luke' will take on Haupai Puha. Humphries managed to win the first round in Australia last week, but then went down 6-0 against Mike De Decker. It was later revealed that Humphries was ill, making his form for next weekend also a big question mark. Puha almost pulled off a big stunt by beating Luke Littler in the first round. In a final and decisive leg, however, he had to give way. But with Humphries' illness, there are still chances for 'Hopes' to survive the first round again this weekend in Auckland.

Player Details: Luke Humphries