23 Feb 2024

Haupai Puha is the first New Zealander to qualify for the world

From Nine To Noon, 9:35 am on 23 February 2024

Haupai Puha is the first New Zealander to win a card to the Professional Darts Corporation where he can play at the top table against the world's best. There are 128 players around the world given a card - the first 64 are based on rankings while the remaining half have to qualify through what are known as Q-Schools. A former pro golfer - Haupai funded himself to go to Germany in January, where he came out as one of the top qualifiers in a field of hundreds to claim his place on the world tour. Last year, Haupai gained attention by beating highly ranked Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh at the New Zealand masters in Hamilton. This week Haupai won a couple of matches before bowing out in the round of 32 at the Players Championship 4 in Leicester. Haupai talks to Kathryn from London.