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Gerwyn Price began his New Zealand Darts Masters title defence with a resounding 6-1 victory over Australia’s Simon Whitlock.

Despite going a leg down, Markham’s Price edged ahead with clinical checkouts of 92 and 149 before sparking a run of six straight legs to close out victory.

“I felt comfortable up there,” said Price. “The crowd were supporting me right from the beginning, which is good, and they were brilliant.

“I’m here to do a job and hopefully win this tournament.”

Price, who won the competition back in 2022, will take on Dutchman Danny Noppert in the quarter-finals.

The two-day competition got underway in Hamilton on Friday August 4 and will conclude on Saturday August 5.