Leeds-born marksman hits the spot in Auckland
![Mark McGrath in action against Michael Smith. Picture: Raghavan Venugopal / www.Photosport.nz 2018](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/legacy_ash_101689497.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Mark McGrath in action against Michael Smith. Picture: Raghavan Venugopal / www.Photosport.nz 2018](/img/placeholder.png)
McGrath, who emigrated to New Zealand in 1981, became the first Kiwi to defeat a top PDC player in the four-year history of the World Series event with a 6-4 success over Premier League runner-up Michael Smith.
The 50-year-old - who has previously qualified for both the PDC and BDO World Championships - will play Raymond van Barneveld in Saturday’s quarter-finals.
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Hide Ad“It’s the biggest win of my career, but I hope there’s more to come,” said McGrath, nicknamed “Cowboy”.
![Mark McGrath celebrates his win over Michael Smith at the Auckland Darts Masters. Picture: Raghavan Venugopal/www.Photosport.nz 2018](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/legacy_ash_101689498.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Mark McGrath celebrates his win over Michael Smith at the Auckland Darts Masters. Picture: Raghavan Venugopal/www.Photosport.nz 2018](/img/placeholder.png)
“I’m stoked - it’s going to take a little while to sink in.”
Smith, a former World Youth champion was punished for only hitting 21 per cent of his shots at doubles as McGrath progressed in to the quarter-finals.
The pair exchanged holds of throw until the sixth leg where McGrath broke to take a 4-2 lead.
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Hide AdA 78 checkout from Smith in the next leg saw him break back before levelling again.
A scrappy ninth leg ended with the man from New Zealand pinning double one after a 26-dart leg and McGrath then delighted the New Zealand crowd, pinning tops to seal the victory.