PRICE SHRUGS OFF GURNEY ROW AT WORLD MATCHPLAY

GERWYN PRICE says “he didn’t see” any mind games from Daryl Gurney during their World Matchplay clash.  

Two-times major winner Gurney became irate with Price’s big roars and reactions and began to imitate the Welshman at the oche.  

Former World Champ Price got the last laugh when he triumphed 10-7 as the pair shared what was a very unfriendly handshake at the conclusion of their match. 

But Price remained coy about the incident when told Gurney had been mocking him behind his back after each throw. 

He said: “Was he? I’m not sure. 

“No, I just play darts, give it large at the end, and finish the game.” 

World No. 6 Price was told the gamesmanship was caught on camera.  

He responded: “That’s nice of you – I didn’t see that.” 

‘The Iceman’ revealed that the firm handshake between the pair at the end of the match was simply followed by: “Well done, buddy. Well played.” 

Price reached the quarter-final of the Australian Masters last weekend after losing 6-4 to Chris Dobey despite averaging 101.42 at Wollongong. 

The 40-year-old has won SIX World Series titles during his stellar career and has no intention of leaving the events anytime soon.  

He added: “As long as I’m invited to the World Series, I’d never turn them down. 

“I know a lot of players think the schedule is quite busy and these are probably the times to miss tournaments – which is probably right – but if I’m invited, I’ll always come down. 

“England was tough for me to crack – obviously, not being English, being Welsh, that’s always tough. 

“But whenever I came to Australia or New Zealand, they seemed to be welcoming, which is nice.  

“The scene in the UK and all over Europe now this year has been great for me as well.” 

Seven-times major winner Price has no set timeline on how long he’ll continue competing at the top level. 

He continued: “As long as I’m enjoying it and playing well… if I drop outside the top 16 and I’m not enjoying it or playing well, then maybe I’ll pack it in. 

“As long as I’m enjoying it and playing well, that’s all that matters.” 

Price knows with the changes to World Championship prize money a big year-end run at Ally Pally could see him return to the summit of the sport. 

He admitted: “That goes for a lot of players. The ranking points for the Worlds are huge – a million points.  

“If you’re in the top eight with a good back end to the year, any of those eight could be world number one.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.