ROCK HURT AFTER NIGHTMARE PREMIER LEAGUE DEBUT
13/02/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
JOSH ROCK will be “hurt” after his Antwerp nightmare, according to ex-pro Wayne Mardle.
The Northern Irishman was swept aside 6-2 by Michael van Gerwen on Night Two of the Premier League, slumping to a worrying 79.34 average as he appeared to struggle badly with his grip throughout.
World No.9 Rock has now suffered back-to-back defeats on his debut in the major event.
Mardle believes the real concern for ‘Rocky’ is the standard of his performance, not just the result, especially with the pressure beginning to mount.
He said: “The Premier League is not about winning early doors, it’s about feeling okay.
“If you feel okay after losing three weeks on the bounce, it’s alright.
“You can get away with it because you feel confident enough you are playing well enough.
“It’s like Stephen Bunting loses eight on the bounce last year — he wasn’t playing poorly, he then wins one.
“That will hurt Josh Rock because last week he didn’t get into the game because of Jonny Clayton.
“This week he didn’t get into it because he was so poor. He’s got things to think about.
“Josh Rock won’t be able to forget about that until he puts things right.”
Rock later released a statement on Instagram apologising for his showing at the weekly tournament roadshow.
He said: “Want to apologise to everyone who watched me. I felt fantastic up there but had no grip on my fingers.
“Is what it is, we move on. All the best MVG.”
Rock returns to action on Monday at the Players Championship Three in Wigan.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
