The New Zealand DartsMasters is almost here.
It's the last event for players to collect prize money and change their positioning on the World Series of Darts order of merit before the World Series of Darts finals in September.
Just a week after the Australian Darts Masters took place, we'll see mostly familiar faces this weekend, especially from the PDC side, but there may be some unexpected twists.
2025 New Zealand Darts Masters predictions
As always, the PDC representatives are significant favorites in these World Series of Darts events.
With the way the WSoD order of merit stands going into the tournament, I have Stephen Bunting as one of the top favorites to win it all.
Bunting was eliminated in the semifinal in Australia last week by Littler, but the only way the two can face one another this weekend would be in the final.
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Luke Humphries has been dealing with an illness that impacted him during this past weekend's tournament, so he might not be at his full capacity this weekend.
Humphries is one of the four seeded players heading into the New Zealand Darts Masters, so we already know that he'll be in the top half of the bracket with Bunting. The two would face off in the semifinal round if they make it that far.
Of course, Luke Littler will have to be considered a favorite as usual, especially after an impressive showing in Australia last week, when he won the title.
Mike De Decker and Josh Rock both made their WSoD debuts last week, so they can be non-seed threats this weekend after positive moments last weekend and in recent weeks.
Damon Heta averaged nearly 110 against James Bailey in the first round last week, before being eliminated by Luke Littler in the quarterfinals. Heta won't be in his home country again this weekend, but I'm sure he'll feel the added 'home-field' advantage of being in his country's region.
The draw isn't out yet, so all of the dominos haven't all fallen, but a Bunting/Littler final seems like a possible outcome with how the field stands.
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