James Wade Ends Five-Year Televised Title Drought with Australian Darts Masters Victory

James Wade has finally returned to the televised winner's circle. The 43-year-old Englishman defeated Australian home favourite Brody Klinge 8-5 on Saturday to claim the 2026 KenoGo Australian Darts Masters title in Wollongong, securing his maiden World Series of Darts crown.[1]

The victory ended a five-year televised title drought for the veteran, whose last major triumph came at the 2021 UK Open. "It's been a while since I've won something," Wade quipped after lifting the trophy at the WIN Entertainment Centre. "My children always say to me: 'Daddy can you get a trophy'? I have to keep buying them!"

Wade's path to the final was paved with spectacular performances. He opened his campaign on Friday with a 6-0 whitewash of Tim Pusey, posting a staggering 112.73 average—the second-highest ever recorded at a World Series event in Australia. He followed that up on Finals Day by edging Stephen Bunting 6-5 in the quarter-finals and powering past Gerwyn Price 7-4 in the semi-finals, crashing in eight maximums against the Welshman.[1]

But the story of the weekend belonged equally to Brody Klinge. The 34-year-old Australian qualifier produced a fairytale run that captivated the home crowd. It began on Friday when he survived two match darts to eliminate former European Champion Ross Smith with a sensational 11-dart break in a deciding leg.

Klinge refused to fade on Saturday. Playing with what he described as "the adrenaline rush of my life," he dispatched world number two Gian van Veen 6-4 in the quarter-finals before stunning New Zealand Darts Masters champion Jonny Clayton 7-5 in the semi-finals to book his place in the showpiece match.[1]

In the final, Wade's experience ultimately proved the difference, though Klinge went down fighting with a superb 104.56 average in defeat. "The crowd have been behind me the whole time and I've really enjoyed the whole experience," Klinge reflected. "I cannot believe I got here."

Wade was quick to praise his opponent's breakthrough performance on the big stage. "I had to graft and work really hard, and I'll be really disappointed if he doesn't pursue what he's doing," Wade said of the Australian breakout star.

The Wollongong event concludes the regular 2026 World Series of Darts campaign. The focus now shifts to the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam this September, where Michael van Gerwen will enter as the top seed following the culmination of the international roadshow. Wade's triumph earned him the maximum 12 ranking points, vaulting him into a tie for fifth on the final Order of Merit.[2]