CULLEN WARNED RANKINGS SLUMP LOOMING

JOE CULLEN has been warned he risks a big fall down the rankings ladder after a nightmare run of results at the oche.

‘The Rockstar’ failed to make it past the fourth round at the last 18 Players Championship events and has suffered FIVE brutal first-round exits on the European Tour this year.  

Bradford thrower Cullen’s most recent collapse came at the Czech Open last week where he squandered a 5-3 lead against Niko Springer, missed match darts and bowed out 6-5 with an 88.69 average in round one. 

Former pro Matt Edgar admits Cullen is now “looking back” in the race for the big stages after a horror run of form on the PDC circuit. 

He said: “Joe Cullen is now in that category of someone who is looking back. 

“He’s on the border of not making certain events, and with that you lose ranking money. 

“Joe Cullen is one of those players who relied on consistent performances in events. 

“He’ll get to a semi-final or a quarter-final here and there, but those regular appearances and wins — that sort of 50/50 split — are what keep him in the top 32. 

“If he misses a few events, he will drop very quickly. That’s what we’re seeing at the moment: just the fear factor of the rankings kicking in. 

“But if you’re going to have a bad year, this is the time to do it because the prize money jumps next year. 

“So you can make it up quite well. 

“Players like Dimitri Van den Bergh, Peter Wright, Michael Smith and Joe Cullen are all in a little bit of trouble, but if they have a good year next year it will all be forgotten.” 

Former Masters Champ Cullen kicked off 2025 with a bang, reaching the final of Players Championship One and bagging Event Five for his first title since 2022. 

World No. 29 Cullen’s season has nosedived since then after failing to reach the quarter-finals in any of the four majors he has competed in this campaign.

Image by Taylor Lanning.