Klinge, Smith, Penhall share title wins in Second ADA Tour in Canberra

The second weekend tour of the new and improved Australian Darts Association continued on Friday in the nation's capital, at the Canberra Labour Club. Sports journalist Josh Tonini from The 9-Dart Podcast is here to review down the weekend of action from events five to eight.

A fantastic weekend of four events, each with 128 players, battled it out over three action-packed days of tungsten action and were ready to unleash their arrows in Canberra for the second instalment of the exciting 2026 ADA tour.

EVENT FIVE WINNER: BRODY KLINGE

Australian World Series and ANZ Premier League participant Brody Klinge picked up where he left off in Mandurah, winning the first event on Friday. In his campaign, he knocked over fellow ANZ PL participant Kiwi Joe Comito with a 6-1 victory, then prevailed over Jeremy Fagg in a last-leg decider in the semi-final. His last opponent in his way was Darren Penhall, which Klinge had a convincing 6-2 win with a 93.85 average.

Brody Klinge smiles after picking up $1,600 on Friday after his Event 6 victory

EVENT SIX WINNER: RAYMOND SMITH

After winning two ADA titles in Mandurah just a few weeks ago, Raymond Smith was back in town – and continued his winning ways in the first Saturday event in the morning. His Top 16 and Quarter Final matches recorded some incredible numbers, in particular his 6-5 victory against Jamie Rundle where he averaged 96.67 in an extremely tight tussle.

He then went on to beat Darren Penhall in yet another last-leg decider, 6-5, before facing up against James Bailey, another ANZ PL participant who continues to prove his form on the tour. Smith came out on top in the end, winning 6-4, averaging 86.74 in a great tungsten battle.

Raymond Smith picked up his third ADA title for 2026

EVENT SEVEN WINNER: DARREN PENHALL

The third event belonged to Darren Penhall, who is one of the names who has been very impressive across the tour so far in 2026 and for good reason. Having made multiple deep runs prior to this event, Penhall finally picked up his maiden 2026 ADA title - firstly beating Tim Pusey 6-2, a fan favourite who made his debut at Alexandra Palace last November but in this circumstance was no match for Penhall - who averaged a remarkable 100.33 in the contest.

In addition, he went on to beat Matt Dorotich 6-1 in the semi-final before being triumphant over WDF superstar Raymond Smith in a 6-3 victory - notching up his second-best average in the contest with 93.60. Penhall is definitely someone to look out for on the tour.

Darren Penhall moved to 3rd on the ADA rankings after his victory in Canberra

EVENT EIGHT WINNER: BRODY KLINGE

Sunday brought the set-play format to the Canberra Labour Club and 128 players were ready to go again. Brody returned that morning and once again proved his class. Klinge powered past new Australian 2026 tour card holder in Adam Leek, with a 2-0 set victory.

After beating Fagg on Friday, he matched up against him again in the semi-final, winning 2-1 in a quality contest.

The last hurdle to his second title was against a good friend and ANZ Premier League runner-up in Raymond Smith. This is a match-up we have seen many times and it never fails to dissapoint. In a close contest, Melbourian averaged 87.64 on his way to his second title for the weekend, winning 2-1.

ADA RANKINGS AFTER EVENT EIGHT:

After eight events, Brody Klinge and Raymond Smith sit at the top of the tree, with Penhall rounding out third position on $4,000.

Despite not picking up a title as of yet, Michael Bajowski continues to be a name circulating in the community, continually making deep runs – I wouldn't be surprised if he picks up an event title very soon. Well-known young player Tim Pusey also continues to impress on the tour, with Rundle, Crane, and Kemp joining in that conversation as ones to keep your eyes on when we re-commence in Queensland.

The ADA rankings after eight events, with Klinge holding top position with $7,500 in prize money

The growth of local darts clubs across Australia, combined with emerging online competitions, such as the rapidly evolving 'DartsDownUnder' community, which featured two competitors on the weekend, has been evidently great for the ADA circuit.

Another influx of competitors will take centre stage in the next leg of the ADA circuit when it re-commences on May 15. The tour will venture to Queensland at the Pine Rivers Dart Club for another four events of action – with the same structure across Friday to Sunday.

Episode 50 of The 9-Dart Podcast is LIVE via YouTube and all audio platforms!

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Writer: @jtonini_