DARTS ACE BELIEVES ROCK WILL BE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE NEXT YEAR

JOSH ROCK is a nailed-on pick for next year’s Premier League, according to Vincent van der Voort.  

‘Rocky’ is into the semi-final of the World Matchplay after beating Gerwyn Price 16-11 in Blackpool.   

World No. 11 Rock averaged a stellar 104.02 and sealed the victory with a 164 checkout to setup a blockbuster clash with Luke Littler.  

Former pro Vincent van der Voort believes Rock has the talent and credentials to feature in the Premier League in 2026.  

He said: “He’s taken a huge step forward. After that World Youth title, this is the year he really breaks through.   

“If he keeps this trajectory going, he’ll be in the Premier League next year.   

“He fits the bill: young, talented, and no red flags.”  

The 24-year-old is now eyeing a maiden major title at the Winter Gardens, having already dispatched current Premier League aces Michael van Gerwen and Price on his journey to the last four.   

He revealed: “If I want to win this title, I have to win it the hard way. Played Ross Smith, European champion. MVG, three-time world champion, Gezzy, one-time world champion.   

“Now I’ve got one of my close friends, Luke, one-time world champion. If you want to win this title, you have to beat the best.  

“It’s our first meeting in any PDC scenario, so I’m expecting him to hit everything and, hopefully, I hit everything and we’ll see who the winner is. Me and Littler are very, very close. Not a lot of people know that, but we are.  

“The first time we met was actually in Killarney before I won my Tour card. I actually beat him 4-2 in that scenario, but in the short format, it means nothing. It was in the WDF, where you start from.  

“The two of us know how we can play, we can both win any tournament when we’re on our day, but when sometimes close friends come into the scenario, it can be difficult.  

“I’m not feeling the pressure and he obviously clearly doesn’t feel any pressure at all, so I think between the two of us, it’ll be fireworks.”  

Rock has been in red hot form after winning the Players Championship 10 and World Cup of Darts for Northern Ireland.

Image by Taylor Lanning.