Cody Harris has made New Zealand darting history by becoming the first Kiwi to reach the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship on Friday (NZ time).
The 33-year-old beat German Martin Schindler 3-2 in a tense first-round contest and will face Jamie Lewis on Saturday in the next round.
Harris averaged 88.66 in the contest, hitting three 180s and was 36 percent on the doubles.
Under the new format for the 96-strong field, all the New Zealand qualifiers automatically qualify for the first round, compared to past events where they would have to play a preliminary qualifier which they’d have to win before reaching the first round.
Last year Harris beat American Willard Bruguier in the prelimary rounds before falling to Ian White in the first round.
The win is arguably Harris' biggwat win of his career as Schindler is ranked 46th in the world.
Harris, competing in his second championship, won the opening 3-1 set despite dropping the opening leg.
Schindler responsed by winning the next set 3-1 to level the match.
The next set was more one-sided as Harris won 3-0 to go within one of the match, but the nerves started to show some poor darts by the Aucklander allowed his opponent back into the match, who won the set 3-1 to send it into a final set decider.
Harris saved his best for last though as he won the final set 3-1 to reach the second round.
Locked at 1-1 in the deciding set, Harris landed 85 to lead 2-1, and he finished it off in style by hitting a 104 checkout on double 16 to secure a famous win.
"I feel for him for not getting through but I’m delighted to reach the second round," said Harris afterwards.
"Coming here to the UK, leaving my partner and my five children behind to chase the dream, this is all for them so I’ll keep working hard."
His opponent in the next round is Lewis of Wales who is currently 28th in the world after reaching the semi-finals at last year’s world championship.
Harris is quietly confident of another upset.
"After seeing Rob Cross win it in his debut year, anything is possible. If you dream it first, you can make it a reality."
Fellow New Zealander Craig Ross will play his first round match against Tony Alcinas on Sunday.
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