ROCK EMULATES MCILROY WITH AUSTRIAN DARTS OPEN GLORY

JOSH ROCK was ecstatic to emulate Rory McIlroy by winning his own green jacket at the Austrian Darts Open.

‘Rocky’ clinched a second European Tour title and the £35,000 top prize after beating Kevin Doets 8-6 in the final. 

The Antrim thrower produced a stunning 100.15 average and nailed a brilliant 145 checkout as he swept aside compatriot Daryl Gurney 7-3 in the semi-finals, having earlier seen off Cristo Reyes 6-4 in the last eight.

Rock finally got his hands on the famous prize, following McIlroy after the Northern Irishman’s Masters triumph in golf earlier this year. 

He said: “I am very relieved. I made my first final against Jonny [Clayton] here. When he got the jacket, I was kind of jealous. 

“Then Martin [Schindler] beat me in the semi-final and then won it. So I was determined to win it this year. 

“I am happy I finally got it. Kevin has been playing unbelievably this year and he proved it earlier this week by winning his first ProTour title. 

“He is only going to keep winning more. I am grateful I got the edge against him on this one, so everybody needs to watch out because Kevin is in a good bit of form.

“So hopefully he doesn’t come up against me in too many finals. 

“Titles are very hard to win nowadays in any respect because the standard is so good now. 

“To obviously come here this weekend and win is a massive achievement. 

“I am just happy there are two Northern Irishmen who have got a green jacket this year.” 

Doets heaped praise on Rock after their encounter and admitted he had to dig deep and give it everything he had to stay in the contest. 

He added: “My hair is wet and everything is wet. I just felt like he wouldn’t stop, whatever I threw at him, he would do better. 

“He was a deserved winner today although I felt like I had my chances. It was a great final and let’s hope for more.”