Bunting eyes top three and England World Cup spot after frustrating season

STEPHEN BUNTING admits he took his eye off the ball after focusing heavily on the Premier League this year.

The world No9 endured a frustrating season on the big stage and has failed to reach a major quarter-final.

Bunting, 41, had his best result come at the UK Open, where he made the sixth round before losing 10-7 to Josh Rock.

The Bullet revealed he paid the price for placing so much emphasis on the weekly roadshow where he did claim two nightly wins and narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

He told Oche180: “The Premier League there was a lot of focus on that and I felt like I had a very good campaign.

“But I took my eye off everything else. I wanted to do well in the Premier League and finishing fifth was a great result in the end.

“I was unlucky not to be in the top four if I had a few wins here and there. I felt like I played really well in the Premier League.

“Off the back of that you are a bit deflated. It’s all over. You have to get back to the nitty gritty, the ProTours and the Europeans.

“Form is temporary, class is permanent. I know how good I can be but at the same time I know how hard I have to work to get back to where I want to be.”

Bunting has enjoyed a stellar career on the oche, lifting the World Masters in 2024 and reaching the World Championship semi-finals the following year.

The Liverpudlian is setting his sights on new heights as he bids to achieve something he has never done before.

He added: “Push into the top three of the world. Try and get into that England squad for the World Cup.

“I know I need to work hard and keep doing what I am doing. I need to get back on that practice board and get them wins back and confidence back.

“I think the confidence is the big one for me. Every year you always want to win a few tournaments.

“I was lucky to win a couple of World Series last year and a couple of ProTours. Although it has not been the greatest year so far there is still a hell of a lot of tournaments to play.

“It’s about being confident heading into the backend. That is the most important part of any season culminating in the World Championships.

“If I can pick up a title or two heading into the World Championships then I am sure I will be in a good headspace.”

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Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning