CULLEN’S ERRATIC FORM AND HOT TEMPER QUESTIONED

JOE CULLEN’S fiery temperament and erratic form at the oche was called into question by Florian Hempel. 

‘The Rockstar’ stormed to victory at Players Championship 27 last Wednesday with a string of classy displays and ton-plus averages. 

But less than 24 hours later, Cullen crashed out of the European Tour Qualifier for the Swiss Darts Trophy after losing 6-4 to Hempel in the quarter-final. 

World No. 54 Hempel admitted he couldn’t believe the difference in Cullen’s game from one day to the next. 

He said: “He wins the second Players Championship tournament of the week and I get him the next day in the European Tour Qualifier. 

“I say: Congratulations for yesterday, and he says soberly: ‘thanks’. Then he’s leading 2–1, we both miss loads of darts at doubles.  

“At some point he makes it 3–1 with what feels like the 15th dart at a double. We look at each other and just have to laugh.  

“Suddenly the darts are flying straight again – only Joe’s aren’t finding the double. 

“I wondered how he was able to win the tournament yesterday – and with 100 averages at times. That was a completely different Joe Cullen.” 

Hempel revealed Cullen’s anger spilled over well after the match. 

He added: “He was swearing the whole time, using the F-word a few times. Insane. 

“He was sitting two tables away and was still swearing for ten minutes after the game.  

“I left at some point because it was unpleasant. I played the bad game a bit better, but he couldn’t cope with it.” 

Bradford thrower Cullen kicked off the year with a bang, reaching the final of Players Championship One and bagging Event Five for his first title since 2022. 

But Cullen’s season has nosedived since then after failing to reach the quarter-finals in any of the FIVE majors he has competed in this campaign. 

The 36-year-old was dumped out in the opening round of last Friday’s World Series Finals, producing a lowly 80.79 average in a heavy 6-1 defeat to Damon Heta. 

Former Masters champ Cullen has also suffered five first-round exits on the European Tour this year.

Image by Taylor Lanning.