BUNTING IN TEARS AFTER BAHRAIN WIN
17/01/2025 By Phil Lanning
By Phil Lanning
STEPHEN BUNTING broke down in tears after landing his first World Series title.
The former Lakeside champ beat Gerwyn Price 8-4 in the final of the Bahrain Masters on Friday night.
Bunting was overcome with emotion after thanking his family for his rise back to the top of the game.
He said: “I’m lost for words. I’m playing the best I’ve ever played. More consistent and believing I can win titles. To be away from my family is hard.
“Coming off the back of the semi-finals in the Worlds, I came here full of confidence. I’m now up to World No.5. I’ve got a lot of people to thank for that.
“Obviously my family and my management. It’s taken a lot of hard work.
“The hypnotherapy behind the scenes, the psychology in the past from feeling down in the dumps to being World No.5 is an incredible feeling. It’s made me really strong to be honest.
“Hopefully the only way is up.”
Bunting reached the final to face Price after surviving a match dart to beat Luke Humphries 7-6 in their last four clash. But it was a fantastic comeback from The Bullet to get the result.
Cool Hand said: “Gutted to lose but happy for Stephen to progress. Still feel like my game needs some fine tuning before I’m back to my best. I’ll work harder to be better!”
Earlier, Luke Littler was sent crashing out of after a stunning display by Price.
The Welshman delivered a record-breaking 115.31 average to KO the world champion 6-3 in the quarter-finals.
Price hit six perfect darts in one attempt as he chased a nine-darter and came even closer later in the match when he wired a double 12 for a perfect leg.
