Clayton to cancel holiday after Swiss Darts Trophy win books Grand Slam spot

JONNY CLAYTON will be trading sun loungers for the oche after winning the Swiss Darts Trophy to qualify for the Grand Slam of Darts.

The world No6 picked up his FOURTH European Tour title and the £30,000 top prize after beating Luke Humphries 8-4 with a 101.68 average and hitting 62 per cent of his doubles.

Clayton, 52, averaged over 105 and fired in a superb 161 checkout to beat Gian van Veen 7-4 in the semi-finals, having swept aside Karel Sedlacek 6-2 in the quarter-finals.

The Welshman claimed earlier this week that the world’s top 16 should automatically qualify for every tournament, having been on course to miss the Grand Slam after failing to win a ranked event.

But Clayton made sure there would be no debate over his place in Wolverhampton, producing a string of superb performances in Switzerland to lift the trophy.

He said: “If you want to lift these trophies, you have to beat people like Luke [Humphries]. He’s absolutely fantastic and a good friend.

“What a player, he has played amazing this weekend. I think I've done alright this weekend as well.

“Thank God I'm in the Grand Slam. It’s confidence and a spot in the Grand Slam. That saves me a trip to Leicester over the next few days.

“To be honest, I am over the moon with this. It’s always great to win a trophy. On a European Tour, to do it against a man like this, I can’t speak no words.”

Clayton claimed his second trophy of the campaign after previously winning the New Zealand Masters and will now head to the upcoming majors full of belief and momentum.

He added: “It’s always good to have confidence in any game of darts. I can cancel my holiday now for the Grand Slam because I’ll have to be in Wolverhampton.

“It’s always good to be in there. Who knows what happens. I feel good. I’m enjoying my game. I am throwing alright.

“So who knows.”