Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld thinks darts in New Zealand has a healthy future after the first day of the Auckland Masters.
Mark McGrath beat Michael Smith 6-4 to become the first Kiwi to win at the Trusts Arena and advance to Saturday's quarter-finals.
While he was the only local to beat a top-ranked player at the event, the night proved there is plenty of young NZ talent on the rise.
In total, seven Kiwis qualified for the event, four of them made their televised Darts debut while five of them made their debut at the event.
Speaking to Newshub after his 6-4 win over Warren Parry, Van Barneveld said New Zealanders should be proud of how well the Kiwis played against the best in the world.
"You guys should be proud," said Van Barneveld. "After the first two matches, it could have easily been your Kiwis going through. It could have been three Kiwis and a Dutchman.
"Tonight shows darts has a future in New Zealand."
Van Barneveld will now face McGrath in the quarter-finals.
However, it was a night of heartbreak and what could have been for Canterbury duo Ben Robb and John Hurring, who both missed match darts against highly-touted Simon Whitlock and Rob Cross respectively.
Robb - who received a last-minute call-up to the event after Corey Cadby was forced to withdraw - missed a dart at double 16 in the opening match of the night, while Hurring missed two at double 20 against the reigning world champion.
A win for rookie Robb over a star of Whitlock's ilk would have been a remarkable story.
The 29-year-old was sitting at home watching a movie when he got the call-up to take part in his first televised event.
"It was crazy" Robb recalled. "My mum started ringing me, and then the rest of my family once the news hit social media.
"Some people said I was lucky but I have been so close all year, and you don’t get there without playing good darts."
Another Kiwi who made his televised debut was Haupai Puha. The 33-year-old raced out to an early lead against defending champion Kyle Anderson, but the Australian won six of the last seven legs to come out on top.
"I was comfortable up on the stage, but it was different," Haupai told Newshub.
"I played good at times, but Kyle was clutch. He did what he needed to hit and that’s why he's a pro.
"The darts weren’t going in, but it was my first so I’m happy."
Haupai will have a chance for revenge at next week’s Melbourne Darts Masters.
Newshub.
