MARK McGRATH has won the DPNZ Qualifier to secure a debut at the William Hill World Darts Championship in December.
British-born McGrath, whose family moved from Leeds to New Zealand in 1981, came through the 16-player World Championship Qualifier in Christchurch to secure his spot at Alexandra Palace.
In both round-robin group stages, McGrath lost his opening game before bouncing back with two victories to progress, and then knocked out last year's New Zealand representative in the World Championship, Rob Szabo, 9-5 in the semi-finals.
An 11-6 victory over Jonathan Silcock in the final then secured McGrath's qualification for the sport's biggest tournament, as he became the first of a series of International Qualifiers to secure their places in the 2014-15 World Championship.
McGrath, who turns 46 on July 15, qualified three times for the World Masters event during a five-year spell back in England from 2001-2006 before returning to New Zealand, where he is based in Palmerston North on the North Island.
The winner of the DPNZ King Country Open in 2012, he is also a former New Zealand National Championship finalist who has been one of the top performers on the DPNZ's domestic circuit in the past two years.
Three-time World Championship qualifier Warren Parry joined Szabo in losing out at the semi-final stage, as he went down 9-7 to Silcock.
McGrath will enter the William Hill World Darts Championship in the preliminary round alongside a series of other International Qualifiers.
The William Hill World Darts Championship will be held from December 18-January 4 at Alexandra Palace in London. For ticket information, click here.
DPNZ Qualifier - William Hill World Championship
Sunday July 13, Hornby WMC, Christchurch
First Round
Pool One
Warren Parry 8-1 Michael Lacey
Rob Szabo 6-3 Bernie Smith
Warren Parry 7-2 Bernie Smith
Rob Szabo 5-4 Michael Lacey
Warren Parry 7-2 Rob Szabo
Bernie Smith 6-3 Michael Lacey
Pool Two
Tony Carmichael 7-2 Mark McGrath
Cody Harris 6-3 John Dodunski
Mark McGrath 8-1 John Dodunski
Cody Harris 5-4 Tony Carmichael
Mark McGrath 6-3 Cody Harris
Tony Carmichael 7-2 John Dodunski
Pool Three
Craig Pullen 7-2 John Kelly
Jonathan Silcock 6-3 Wayne Carey
Wayne Carey 5-4 Craig Pullen
Jonathan Silcock 6-3 John Kelly
Craig Pullen 9-0 Jonathan Silcock
John Kelly 5-4 Wayne Carey
Pool Four
Warren French 5-4 Craig Caldwell
Monty Tuhua 5-4 Paul Harper
Craig Caldwell 6-3 Paul Harper
Warren French 5-4 Monty Tuhua
Craig Caldwell 7-2 Monty Tuhua
Warren French 6-3 Paul Harper
Second Round
Pool One
Warren Parry 9-2 Mark McGrath
Craig Pullen 8-3 Warren French
Warren Parry 6-5 Warren French
Mark McGrath 6-5 Craig Pullen
Warren Parry 7-4 Craig Pullen
Mark McGrath 9-2 Warren French
Pool Two
Tony Carmichael 6-5 Rob Szabo
Craig Caldwell 7-4 Jonathan Silcock
Jonathan Silcock 7-4 Tony Carmichael
Rob Szabo 8-3 Craig Caldwell
Tony Carmichael 6-5 Craig Caldwell
Rob Szabo 6-5 Jonathan Silcock
Semi-Finals
Jonathan Silcock 9-7 Warren Parry
Mark McGrath 9-5 Rob Szabo
Final
Mark McGrath 11-6 Jonathan Silcock