GURNEY VOWS TO QUIT AUTOGRAPHS AFTER “BOO FESTIVAL” CLAIM
01/06/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
DARYL GURNEY has vowed to stop signing autographs for fans after claiming he endured “another boo festival” at the Baltic Sea Open.
Superchin was beaten 6-3 by Ricky Evans in the second round on Saturday afternoon.
The Northern Irishman suffered his first defeat to Evans in over SEVEN years on the PDC circuit.
The two-time major winner admitted his relationship with European Tour crowds has now reached breaking point after repeated heckling.
Gurney was left furious after the match and took to social media with a blunt statement about his treatment from sections of the crowd.
He said: “Hi everyone from Europe. I’ve enjoyed playing here since 2015/16. I’ve had over 100 appearances but today was another boo festival.
“So, from now on I will not be signing or doing anymore pictures with any1 so plz don’t ask.
“There’s only so much a person/man can take! Thanks Daryl Gurney.”
Gurney’s outburst comes amid a series of crowd-behaviour flashpoints on the European Tour in 2026.
Referee Huw Ware was forced to intervene during Gerwyn Price’s win over Dave Chisnall at the European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen after disruptive whistling during play.
Stephen Bunting was caught up in a hostile atmosphere in March during his clash with Niko Springer at the European Darts Trophy in Germany.
Ware again stepped in during the deciding leg and told fans off as they jeered Bunting.
Gurney returns to action on Tuesday in Milton Keynes for Players Championship 19.
The world No.26 will also begin the defence of his World Cup title alongside Josh Rock for Northern Ireland later this month.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
