GURNEY AIMS FOR TOP 16 RETURN
31/05/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
DARYL GURNEY is eyeing a return to the top 16 Order of Merit.
‘Superchin’ produced his best-ever display on the European Tour at the European Darts Open in Leverkusen.
World No. 25 Gurney averaged a staggering 107.20 and nailed all six doubles in a ruthless 6-2 second round win against Gian van Veen on Saturday.
Derry thrower Gurney received a huge boost of confidence last month after reaching his first ProTour quarter-final of the year at the Austrian Open.
Two-time major winner Gurney ended a frustrating spell of 17 events without a single deep finish.
The 39-year-old admitted he is working hard to climb back up the rankings.
He said: “Honestly, I’m putting so much hard work into myself and my game.
“I’ll never be in the top 10 again in the world.
“But for me my best achievements are probably to be on the infringements of the top 16 because the standard is so good and consistent.
“I ain’t that consistent. I’m just proud of myself today. I was really struggling with the heat backstage.
“It was so warm I actually changed my shirt just before we walked on.”
Gurney also turned his attention to the World Cup of Darts where he’ll return to the Northern Ireland team alongside Josh Rock.
The 2016 semi-finalist and eight-time Northern Ireland representative missed out last year as ‘Rocky’ and Brendan Dolan got the nod — but now he’s back in the frame and fired up for another shot at national glory.
He added: “I’m more looking forward to playing with Josh [Rock] in the World Cup than anything else.
“Ever since I seen that draw I’ve just been practicing so well with these new darts.
“I’m ready to give it my all with Josh in a few weeks time.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
