A total of six New Zealanders will compete at next month’s Auckland Darts Masters, after the final three qualifiers were decided in Invercargill.
The qualifying berths were open to both Australian and New Zealand citizens, but locals shone brightest to claim the final spots.
Tahuna Irwin, Mark McGrath and John Hurring will all make their Darts Masters debuts at the Trusts Arena from August 3-5, joining countrymen Cody Harris, Warren Parry and Haupai Puha, who had already qualified for the event.
The Kiwis will be joined by Australian duo Tim Pusey and 2017 finalist Corey Cadby as Oceania representatives for the event.
Irwin, who hails from Gisborne, beat Warren French 6-3 in the first qualifying event at the Invercargill Workingmen's Club to earn a spot at the country's biggest darts tournament. The 21-year-old will be the youngest competitor taking part.
McGrath won the second of three qualifiers, beating Tony Carmichael 6-2 in the final. The 49-year-old was born in Leeds, England, but has represented New Zealand at both the PDC and BDO world championships.
He will be joined in Auckland by Hurring, who will beat fellow Cantabrian Ben Robb 6-4 in the final qualifying event.
The eight qualifiers will compete against some of the best players to step foot on the oche, including two-time world champions Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson.
Others include current world champion Rob Cross, Peter Wright, Simon Whitlock, defending champion Kyle Anderson, Michael Smith and Raymond van Barneveld.
The professionals have a busy schedule before making the trip down under. This weekend, they compete at the Shanghai Darts Masters, before heading to Blackpool, England, to compete at the World Matchplay for the Phil Taylor Trophy. Then they make the trip to Auckland.
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