Jonny Clayton produced a devastating display of finishing to defeat his fellow countryman Gerwyn Price 8-4 and clinch his maiden SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters crown on Saturday.
The Welshman celebrated his second World Series of Darts title with a trio of superb performances on Finals Day in Auckland, overcoming Gian van Veen, James Wade and Price to take the title.
Clayton succumbed to Price in the 2022 showpiece back in Hamilton, although he gained revenge against his World Cup partner in front of an incredible 5,000 fans at the Spark Arena.
The 51-year-old was irrepressible in the opening stages of Saturday’s showpiece, converting 72, 158, 80 and 62 checkouts to establish a commanding 5-1 cushion.
Clayton capitalised on some errant doubling from Price to extend his lead to 7-1, before defying a three-leg flurry from his compatriot to seal the deal with a magnificent 124 checkout on the bull.
Clayton began Saturday’s action with an impressive 6-3 success against top seed Gian van Veen, converting six of his seven attempts at double to cap off a clinical performance.
The world number five was similarly ruthless in his semi-final demolition of James Wade, averaging just shy of 99 and pinning 70% of his attempts at double to complete a 7-2 thumping.
Price, meanwhile, swept aside Australian duo Damon Heta and Raymond Smith to book his place in a first World Series final of 2026, having eased past Mark Cleaver in Friday’s opening round.
Earlier in the night, Smith prevailed in his all-Australian quarter-final against Adam Leek, averaging almost 97 and converting 60% of his attempts at double to cap off a polished display.
The evening’s other quarter-final clash saw Wade win through a topsy-turvy clash against Josh Rock, producing a 12-dart break to seal his place in a second New Zealand Darts Masters semi-final.
The 2026 World Series of Darts roadshow concludes in Wollongong next weekend, as the KenoGO Australian Darts Masters takes place at the WIN Entertainment Centre on August 21-22.
Following the conclusion of next weekend’s event on Australian soil, the World Series of Darts Finals will take place in Amsterdam from September 17-20, as a 32-player field go head-to-head for silverware in the Dutch capital.
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2026 SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters
Saturday August 15
Quarter-Finals
Jonny Clayton 6-3 Gian van Veen
James Wade 6-4 Josh Rock
Gerwyn Price 6-2 Damon Heta
Raymond Smith 6-3 Adam Leek
Semi-Finals
Jonny Clayton 7-2 James Wade
Gerwyn Price 7-2 Raymond Smith
Final
Jonny Clayton 8-4 Gerwyn Price