The 2026 Australian Darts Association Tour season kicked off with a dominant display from two of the nation's top players as Raymond Smith and Brody Klinge each claimed two titles across the first four events in Mandurah, Western Australia on February 21-22. The opening weekend saw Klinge untouchable on Saturday before Smith hit back with a stunning nine-darter on Sunday.
Brody Klinge bulldozed his way through a 124-player field to win Event 1, dismantling two-time World Championship qualifier James Bailey 6-0 in the final. The 33-year-old from Melbourne opened with three straight 6-3 wins, then notched two emphatic 6-1 victories over Michael Bajowski and Darcy Crane before taking apart Bailey. Klinge struck again later that day in Event 2, defeating former Tour Card holder Darren Penhall 6-3 in the final. Earlier, he averaged 99.97 to sweep past ANZ Premier League runner-up Raymond Smith 6-1 in the semi-finals. On his way to the title, he also took out Tom Wiley, David Cairns, Ben Justice, and Seamus Lynch, overturning a 3-0 deficit against Lynch in the quarter-finals by reeling off six legs on the spin.
On Sunday, Raymond Smith took center stage, hitting a sensational nine-darter in his semi-final against Klinge in Event 3. The 46-year-old from Brisbane produced the perfect leg in the fourth leg, averaging 103.66 to end Klinge's winning streak with a 6-0 rout. Smith then opened his 2026 account with a convincing 6-2 win over Anthony Shreeve in the final, having already dispatched World Championship participant Tim Pusey in the quarter-finals. Across the tournament, he dropped just eight legs. Smith carried his strong form into Event 4, beating Michael Bajowski in a deciding leg to secure his second title of the weekend. He began Sunday with three commanding wins without dropping a single set against Ian Boyes, Basil Thorne, and Karl Schaefer, then edged two tight matches in last-leg deciders against Jamie Rundle and Howard Jones.
Reflecting on the weekend, Smith said: "I'm feeling very good. It's been a very interesting weekend. I got a nine-darter at the Australian Championship two years ago but this was a big one and I'm happy to be part of history. It's been a while since I've played tournaments where I'm getting pushed, getting the challenge, so I just want to chase the ADA around and keep playing this level. It's given us the impetus and opportunity now to go back and find that extra level." Detailed results from the events show Klinge winning Event 1 6-0 against Bailey (89.29 to 81.88 averages) and Event 2 6-3 against Penhall (92.56 to 91.60), while Smith won Event 3 6-2 against Shreeve (90.66 to 81.07) and Event 4 2-1 against Bajowski (84.50 to 79.47).
