TAHUNA IRWIN will make his big stage debut at the Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB & Burger King, next month after winning through Monday's first qualifier in Invercargill.
Emerging New Zealander Irwin was the winner in the first of three qualifying events being held this week to complete the field for the PDC World Series of Darts event.
Irwin, who hails from Gisborne, will now line up against the likes of world number one Michael van Gerwen and World Champion Rob Cross at the Trusts Arena from August 3-5.
The youngster was the runner-up to Bernie Smith in the 2017 DPA Oceanic Masters, falling one game short of securing a William Hill World Darts Championship debut.
However, he overcame experienced New Zealand star Warren French 6-3 in the final of Monday's knockout, having also defeated Larry McCall, Mark McGrath, Lucas Busby and Craig Ross.
Two further qualifiers will complete the 16-player field for the Auckland Darts Masters, which also includes top-ranked New Zealander Cody Harris and reigning champion Kyle Anderson, from Australia.
Tickets for the Auckland Darts Masters - which will be held from August 3-5 at the Trusts Arena - are available through www.ticketek.co.cz.
Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB & Burger King
Qualifier One
Quarter-Finals
Warren French 4-1 Koha Kokiri
Mark Webster 4-1 Darren Herewini
Tahuna Irwin 4-1 Lucas Busby
Craig Ross 4-2 John Hurring
Semi-Finals
Warren French 5-2 Mark Webster
Tahuna Irwin 5-2 Craig Ross
Final
Tahuna Irwin 6-3 Warren French