BUNTING AIMS FOR TOP FIVE

By Aaron Nijjar  

STEPHEN BUNTING is aiming to win the World Championship and break into the top five PDC Order of Merit.  

‘The Bullet’ has had a positive start to the year winning his first World Series title and reaching the semi-final at the World championship.  

World No.6 Bunting revealed on The Bunting Effect YouTube channel he wants to win the coveted prize at Ally Pally this year.  

He said: “The World Championships is a massive goal for me to win. 

“I’m not getting any younger, so I would love to win it as soon as I can. I have the game in me.  

“I want to get into the top five in the world and try and pick up some more majors on the way.  

“Also, to consolidate my ProTour and European form.” 

However, Bunting has endured a tough time in the Premier League as he searches for his first win on Night Seven tonight (Thursday) when he takes on Chris Dobey. 

Former Masters champion Bunting has reflected on the ups and downs of his career, highlighting the role of sports psychologists and hypnotherapists in his success.  

He added: “There has been a lot of ups and downs along the way. Obviously, it has been well documented I have seen sports psychologists and hypnotherapists.  

“I still see a hypnotherapist now for my sleep and for really helping thinking positive all the time.  

“I like to keep on top of the hypnotherapy once a week. Just the sleep more than anything because the tour can be very tiring. 

“So if I can keep on top of my sleep, I can wake up, feel fresh and ready.  

“Even when I was under the weather at the World Masters I still felt really good, calm and collected.  

“Which is something I never did when I was younger.” 

The St Helens thrower who switched from the BDO to the PDC in 2014 admitted there is a stark contrast between the two organistaions.  

He revealed: “The BDO we used to be more jokey and family. 

“Whereas now in the PDC we are playing for that much money it’s a lot more serious.” 

Bunting also paid tribute to the players who have helped him forge the successful career he has today.

He said: “Darryl Fitton, when I was on the tour, always looked after me.  

“I went to Malaysia for the World Youth and I was with the likes of Martin Adams and Andy Fordham who really looked after me.  

“Just making me feel welcome into the England squad. They helped me settle in, and I ended up winning the World Youth title.” 

Looking ahead, Bunting remains optimistic this year he will reach new heights.  

He said: “Reaching the semi-finals of the Worlds and to play Luke Littler was an unbelievable feeling. I had some really good performances there.  

“At the Masters, I had a good run to the quarters and played well. But it was always going to be difficult to defend my title.  

“Winning the Bahrain Masters was a great feeling. To beat Gerwyn Price in the final and Luke Humphries in the semi-final, I had a really good run.  

“It’s given me a lot of confidence heading into the rest of the season. 

“At the Dutch Masters, losing out in the final to Rob Cross but along the way beating Luke Littler kept my spirits and confidence really high.” 

Image by Taylor Lanning.