New Zealand's Bernie Smith has won his preliminary qualifier to progress to the first round of the PDC World Darts Championship in London on Thursday morning (NZ time).
The Christchurch plasterer beat Chinese qualifier Xiao Chen Zong 2-0 to clinch a spot in the tournament's final 64.
Smith averaged 87.47 while nailing 50 percent of his doubles.
The 53-year-old was barely troubled in the match, hitting a 146 finish to clinch the match.
He'll face a much tougher test later in the morning (NZ time) against England's Justin Pipe who is currently ranked 27th in the world.
Fellow New Zealand darts player Cody Harris was in attendance, watching his fellow countryman.
The winner of that match will face 16-time world champion Phil Taylor in the second round.
Smith qualified for the 72-man tournament after winning the Oceanic Masters in New South Wales back in October.
Meanwhile world No.2 Peter Wright declared himself fit to face Diogo Portela in the William Hill World Darts Championship on Friday (NZ time).
Wright had been a doubt for the tournament after being rushed to hospital last month with suspected gallstones, but has since recovered.
Newshub.
