GURNEY ADMITS TOP 16 DAYS ARE OVER
05/10/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
DARYL GURNEY admits his days as a top 16 player are behind him.
Two-times major winner Gurney hasn’t reached a major semi-final since the 2020 UK Open and has made just one quarter-final on the floor this year.
But the 39-year-old secured silverware in June when he teamed up with Josh Rock to win the World Cup of Darts for Northern Ireland.
Gurney reckons consistency in his game has deserted him and he’s realistic about where he stands at the oche.
He said: “No, I won’t even get in the top 16. To be honest, I think I’m looking now anywhere between a good year for me now, I think it was between 16 and 24.
“And I’m not even, I think I’m 26 or something to again now.
“The point is, I want to get in the top 24 so I can get into the Masters for one.
“But no, I think I’m not as consistent as I was for some whatever reason. And these players now, they’re super professional and they’re pushing the game on to the next level.
“I’ve always been trying to push myself up to their level. Don’t get me wrong, I can still match anybody on a good day.
“But how many times has any of these good days come along? It’s not often enough for me. So it’s gonna be really hard, but I would love to be on the fringes of the top 16.
“There’s some days, my throw doesn’t seem right and between my ears doesn’t work right.
“And literally, if you pulled Stevie Wonder out of retirement, some days I think he could beat me, all honesty. And yeah, it’s just sometimes a struggle some days.”
‘Superchin’ who lifted the World Grand Prix title in 2017, returns to the event next week and faces Ross Smith in round one at Leicester.
Gurney is competing at the double-start major for a 12th consecutive campaign.
Derry thrower Gurney says his aim now is to keep qualifying for all the big TV events.
He added: “It is really hard now for me to compete against all these youngsters. But 12 years, that’s great.
“One of the big things I wanted to do was actually get 10 years at Blackpool. I’m not sure if I’ve done that or if that’s next year.
“But the plan is now, bar if a lot of miracles go against me, is really just start now and try and qualify for all next year’s events.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
