Christchurch's Ben Robb was the big winner at the DartPlayers New Zealand (DPNZ) Oceanic Masters qualifiers over the weekend, securing entry into the Brisbane and Hamilton events in August.
DPNZ have held its annual qualifiers for the upcoming Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Series, with eight local qualifiers competing against eight of the world's best arrowsmiths.
Robb will contest his second and third televised tournaments, starting at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on August 9-10, then the New Zealand tournament on the 23-24 at Hamilton's Claudeland's Arena.
'Big Rig' beat John Kelly 7-4 in the Brisbane qualifying final, while overcoming AJ Te Kira 7-5 in the second Hamilton qualifier, both at the Hornby Working Men's Club.
Robb made his televised darts debut at the 2018 NZ Masters, getting a late call-up less than 72 hours before the tournament, when Corey Cadby was forced to withdraw. He faced Australian Simon Whitlock and missed one match-dart in what would have been a famous upset.
On top of his two triumphs, he also reached the final of the DPNZ Melbourne Darts Masters qualifier, but lost 7-5 to Haupai Puha, who will compete in the Victorian capital for the second straight year.
Puha, who will also compete in Hamilton, has had a great year in the sport, winning eight of the 12 DPNZ tournaments in the 2018/19 season, while also being part of the New Zealand team that reached the World Cup of Darts quarter-finals last month.
Australian thrower Damon Heta also qualified for the New Zealand Darts Masters, after winning Saturday's first qualifying event.
Heta beat out 35 competitors to qualify for his second NZ Masters, overcoming Kiwi veteran Warren Parry 7-2 in the final.
Fifteen players have now been confirmed for the NZ Masters, with one more to still be announced via the DartPlayers Australia qualifier next weekend at the Warilla Bowls and recreation club on July 7.
Over the same weekend, three qualifying tournaments for both the Brisbane and Melbourne Darts Masters are also open to New Zealand and Australian residents.
NZ Darts Masters
PDC representatives: Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Gary Anderson, Daryl Gurney, Peter Wright, James Wade, Simon Whitlock, Raymond van Barneveld
Oceanic representatives: Kyle Anderson, Corey Cadby, Cody Harris, Haupai Puha (DPNZ number one), Craig Caldwell (DPNZ number two), Damon Heta (DPNZ qualifier), Ben Robb (DPNZ qualifier) Australian qualifier (July 7, Warilla)
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