BUNTING REVEALS GRUELLING SCHEDULE TAKING ITS TOLL

STEPHEN BUNTING admits the relentless darts schedule is making life “so difficult” across the biggest stages.

The Bullet opened up on the demands of life at the top of the sport, with the Premier League, European Tour, ProTours and World Series events leaving little time to recover.

Former Masters champ Bunting has struggled for consistency this season, with just one European Tour quarter-final appearance and a best major run of the sixth round at the UK Open.

Bunting knows he faces a huge challenge ahead of Ally Pally, where he risks slipping down the rankings as he defends a significant chunk of prize money.

He said: “That’s what makes it more difficult. I am looking for results elsewhere.

“I know I am defending big money at the World Championships. I am trying my hardest.

“It’s so hard travelling playing Premier League, travelling the European Tour, doing the ProTours then going to New York.

“I get home on Monday and then I fly to New York on Tuesday for the World Series.

“It’s so difficult but we need to turn up to these events.”

Bunting also praised the supporters who continue to follow him around the world, insisting their backing gives him extra motivation.

“I feed off these fans and they mean the world to me.

“Whether I am in Bratislava, Germany or the UK I always feel the force of the fans.”

Bunting returns to action at the US Masters on Thursday as he looks to bounce back from a shock first-round exit to Viktor Tingström at the Nordic Masters.

Image by Taylor Lanning.