Tuesday 22 August 2017 16:55, UK
Kyle Anderson won his first televised PDC title at the Auckland Darts Masters.
World No 29 Anderson defeated his fellow Australian Corey Cadby 11-10 in the final after they had eliminated James Wade and Phil Taylor, respectively, in the semi-finals.
Watched on by New Zealand's Prime Minister Bill English and the enthusiastic Kiwi crowd, Anderson's victory saw him claim glory for the first time in a televised event just four years after making his big-stage debut.
"I'm so pleased to win this, I've always known I've had the ability and I'm starting to show everyone now," Anderson said.
"The 160 in the seventh leg was the crucial moment, it made me believe I could win it after Corey had started so well.
"My scoring has been good and I'm hitting my doubles now, so let's hope I can carry that on when we head to Melbourne and Perth."
Cadby added: "Confidence is the key and I believe in myself, I always want win but I'm really pleased for Kyle."
PDC Chairman Barry Hearn has praised Anderson's achievement, which he believes can inspire the Perth-born star to further glory and boost darts in Australia and New Zealand.
This gives the game in Australia and New Zealand a massive push. The event showed that people can change their lives through darts, and here it was in the raw
Hearn said: "Simon [Whitlock] was the first flag bearer for Australia, Paul Nicholson also had some success. Over the years we've watched local players come through the ranks, Kyle Anderson, Corey Cadby - this young, precocious talent - and who'd have thought that the final of the Auckland Masters would be between two unseeded players.
"This gives the game in Australia and New Zealand a massive push. The event showed that people can change their lives through darts, and here it was in the raw.
"All we can do is give them the opportunity and fund the change in lifestyle. Kyle Anderson has earned over £30,000 in the last couple of weeks, but what does it lead to? Whitlock became a Premier League player and one of the world's elite and he's still there.
"We're very excited and we're looking to the future, because who knows what's going to happen in Melbourne this week? Will we see more Australian success? The fans are in for a treat, the TV viewers at Fox are in for an extravaganza."
Semi Finals
Kyle Anderson 11-4 James Wade
Corey Cadby 11-8 Phil Taylor
Final
Kyle Anderson 11-10 Corey Cadby
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