James Wade claimed his first World Series of Darts title with an 8-5 victory over Brody Klinge in the final of the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong.
The 43-year-old arrived at the WIN Entertainment Centre in strong form after opening his tournament with a 6-0 win over Tim Pusey on Friday.
Wade averaged 112.73 in that match, the second-highest average ever recorded in a World Series event in Australia, and carried that level into Saturday's knockout stages.
His route to the final became considerably tighter in the quarter-finals, where he edged Stephen Bunting 6-5.
Wade then produced another strong display against Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals, hitting eight 180s on his way to a 7-4 victory and a place in the final.
Wade ends Klinge's home run
Waiting for Wade was Australian Brody Klinge, who had put together the surprise run of the tournament.
Klinge began with a 6-5 win over Ross Smith, surviving a deciding leg after Smith missed two match darts.
He followed that result by beating Gian van Veen 6-4 in the quarter-finals before defeating recent New Zealand Masters champion Jonny Clayton 7-5 in the last four.
The Australian kept his level high in the final, averaging 104.56, while both players were averaging around 107 heading into the interval.
Wade, however, had established a two-leg advantage and managed the closing stages well.
Klinge produced a 140 checkout to reduce the deficit to 6-4, but Wade held his nerve as the match moved towards its conclusion.
After Klinge failed to take out 60, Wade eventually completed the victory on double 10 to seal an 8-5 win and his maiden World Series crown.
First televised title since 2021
The victory also ended a long wait for a major televised success for Wade, whose previous televised title came at the 2021 UK Open.
"It's fantastic. I really enjoyed myself this weekend," Wade said after the final.
He also praised Klinge's performance and said he hoped the Australian would continue pursuing his career in the sport.
For Klinge, defeat ended a breakthrough weekend in which he recorded wins over Smith, Van Veen and Clayton before finally being stopped by Wade.
Wade leaves Wollongong with the trophy and, for the first time in his career, the title of World Series of Darts champion.
