gerwyn price

2023WCQF_Price13

Price vows to take the boo-boy jeers

By Phil Lanning

GERWYN PRICE admits he will take all the jeers from the boo-boys after being banned from wearing headphones on stage.

The Welshman stunned the oche world when he donned the headphones during his World Championship quarter-final defeat to Gabriel Clemens on New Year’s Day.

But the Professional Darts Corporation confirmed they have ratified a new rule to stop players being able to use them during matches. 

On the eve of his Premier League clash tonight (Thurs) against Nathan Aspinall, Price was open about the subject. He said: “I wore them once, I won’t be wearing them again and it’s best left at that, if I’m honest.

“I’m not a fan of earplugs, so from now on I’m just going to take whatever comes my way, like I have for the last couple of years, and just focus on playing darts.

“There’s nothing else to say about it: I’m just concentrating on this Premier League, and whatever’s happened in the past I would appreciate it if people would stop talking about it because I tried something, it didn’t work and we move on.

“I’m here to play darts, to do the best I can – whatever is thrown at me – but I’m looking forward to Belfast. I’m sure I’ll get a decent reception here after doing as well as I did last year, and hopefully I can reward the crowd with some more good darts, hopefully with another one or two nine-darters as well.”

After his Worlds defeat to Clemens and headphones hullaballoo, Price also stated that he might not play at the Ally Pally again. 

But he added: “I’d rather just focus on the Premier League, if I’m honest, rather than all that other stuff.”

Price has failed to win the Premier League thus far and not even made the finals night – yet produced the best performance a year ago with two nine-darters on one night in Belfast. 

He said: “I hit back-to-back nine-darters in Belfast last year but then I broke my hand after the UK Open and it went downhill from there. Fingers crossed I stay fully fit for this campaign and start with a bang.

“It gets mentioned now and again, but as long as I keep playing that well I’m not too bothered. If I can keep plodding along and picking up trophies now and again, that’s the main thing.”

Price also dismissed any desire to reclaim his World No.1 spot from new World Champ Michael Smith.

He added: “That’s not my priority – if I win tournaments, everything else will take care of itself. I’ve been world No.1, I’ve been world champion and I’m not saying I wouldn’t like to get there again, but if I keep fit and healthy, and in good form, that’s the main thing.

“I’m here to play and here to win, right here and right now. We start in Belfast, where I did well last year, and on to Cardiff next week – hopefully it’s going to be a better year for me in the Premier League.

“I’m hungry to do well over the next 10, 12, 16 weeks and as long as I keep that hunger then I’ll be all right.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

PLLIVERPOOL_73

Price blasts that “game is gone”

By Phil Lanning

GERWYN Price lashed out that the “game is gone” after a controversial Premier League night. 

The ex-World Champ took to Instagram after crashing out of night seven in Rotterdam to fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton. 

Price, 36, who recently lost his world No.1 ranking to Peter Wright, lost 6-5 in his quarter-final meeting with an average of 94.91 – before taking to social media. 

He stated: “The best player doesn’t win anymore. The game is gone. Well done.”

Following that post, multiple major winner went into further detail about his feelings – insisting that it wasn’t in relation to the night of Premier League action.

He added: “I wasn’t talking about my game or about last night in particular, the best player on the day doesn’t always win because the game is spoiled, dictated and influence by non darts fans.

“But what I say will always be twisted. Makes me smile though.”

With Clayton then losing to Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals, Joe Cullen would go on to win his first night of the campaign having seen off James Wade and Peter Wright before MVG.

Price’s comments came after a controversial night in which objects were thrown at both Michael Smith and Cullen by the crowd, with Gary Anderson losing his cool on stage for an incident with the overall winner.

Images by Taylor Lanning.

EXETER_2

Van Gerwen tells Price boxing is not “best decision”

By Phil Lanning

MICHAEL van Gerwen has told Gerwyn Price it’s not the “best decision” to step into the boxing ring. 

Price is suffering from a hand injury that has coincided with his training for a charity boxing match.

The Iceman was subsequently forced to pull out of week five of the Premier League – a night which Van Gerwen went on to win.

Price is back on stage now but is risking further damage by continuing his boxing training and rumours are circulating that the bout could be called off.

Three-time world champion Van Gerwen said: “I don’t think boxing is good for your body, I think you can get injured. I think it’s not the best decision to make in your life but Gerwyn is Gerwyn. He always does things differently so that’s his own thing. I don’t think he’s going to do the fight now with his hand. I’d be surprised. It’s something he likes to do and good luck.”

MVG also hit back when asked whether he would ever consider putting on the gloves. He said: “No! What do I look like? A boxer or a dart player?” 

Van Gerwen is still reeling from his 6-4 defeat to Price in the first round of last week’s Premier League, but the Dutchman blamed himself.

He added: “I lost focus during the game. If you make a mistake and give them a finger, they’ll take your hand. Unfortunately things like that happen in darts. 

“The Premier League is too long not to make any mistakes. You need to keep doing the right things at the right time. 

“Now you have to perform three times a night at the Premier League against the best players in the world. 

“It’s been going a lot better lately. I’m playing OK and being a lot more effective at what I need to do. 

“It’s going to be a big crowd here in Rotterdam, the pressure will be on my shoulders. 

“It works both ways. I know it’s more pressure but it also gives you more energy. It all comes down to what happens on the night.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

PLLIVERPOOL_25

Price isn’t Wright yet in World No.1 battle

By Phil Lanning

GERWYN PRICE hung on to his World No.1 spot in a winner-takes-all International Open final clash.

The Welsh ace beat biggest rival and World Champion Peter Wright 8-4 in Riesa, Germany earlier tonight. 

That meant that Price stopped Wright overtaking him for the coveted place at the top of the Order of Merit. 

He said: “I told him he’s got to wait another week!

“It was the ultimate pressure, the winner took it all. If he wins this, he wins the trophy and goes to World No.1.

“There was a lot of pressure on me so I’m proud of myself.”

Wright had come back from 3-0 down to beat Jonny Clayton in the semi-final but vowed to keep fighting.

He added: “I don’t want to be handed over the World No.1 spot. I’ve got to fight for it. Obviously I didn’t do it today, that’s why he’s No.1 in the world because he never gives up. But I’m after you!”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

WORLDSQF_46

Price admits it’s “tough” to stop Wright becoming No.1

By Phil Lanning

EXCLUSIVE

GERWYN PRICE admits it will be tough to stop Peter Wright from taking his World No.1 spot.

The Welsh ace is hanging on to his place at the top of the rankings before his International Darts Open opener in Riesa, Germany tomorrow (Saturday).

If Wright delivers a better result than Price over the next 48 hours he will become the first-ever Scottish player to reach the PDC World No.1 spot.

Price, 36, revealed: “I said even 12 months ago before I became World No.1 that it would probably change hands a few times. 

“Especially with Peter defending his money and winning the Worlds again. It’s that close, I think there is now ten grand in it. It will probably change hands this year.

“Hopefully not, if I can win this Euro Tour and the UK Open, I can stay as World No.1. But it’s going to be a tough job.”

Price and Wright are due to meet in the quarter-finals of the next Premier League clash in Exeter on Thursday – and ‘The Iceman’ believes it will add extra spice. 

He added: “When you are No.1 it gives you an extra boost, it gives you that confidence to know you are World No.1, you are top of the tree. 

“If I lose that this weekend and then go to Exeter in the Premier League next week, Peter then gets to walk out second as a World Champion and World No.1 and he’s taken both off me.

“So this weekend I will give it my all, pick this trophy up and still be World No.1 before playing Peter next Thursday. 

“It’s always nice to play Peter but I’d rather still be No.1 and be in his head a little bit. It is what it is, if I drop down to No.2 then I’ll just have to prove a point that I really am World No.1 and beat him.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

PLLIVERPOOL_73

Price worried about looking “stupid” in boxing debut

By Phil Lanning

GERWYN PRICE admits he’s worried about being made to look “stupid” on his boxing debut. 

In a shock revelation, the 2020 World Champion revealed he will face Rhys ‘Cool Fly & Flashy’ Evans at the Valley Tavern in Fleur De Lys, Wales on April 9.

Price, 36, hit two nine-dart legs on the way to winning Premier League Night Three in Belfast on Thursday night. 

It was arguably the greatest performance in darts history and the first perfect leg was achieved in just 48 seconds, including picking up a dropped dart.

But on his bizarre boxing bout, he said: “It was a bit of a joke to start off with but things have got a bit serious now. One of my mates was an ex-pro and a very good boxer. 

“So I’ve got to get some training in and get myself ready otherwise I’m going to look stupid. 

“It’s also to raise funds for three chosen charities, one very close to my heart St David’s hospice who cared for my mother-in-law for a short while with her battle with cancer, they were incredible. Let’s raise as much as possible.”

Price certainly regained his knockout punch in Belfast with a stunning 170 finish to win the quarter-final with Michael Smith.

Then came the first perfect leg with 180, 177 and 144 finish in a classy win over Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals before repeating the feat with 180, 180, 141 to beat Wade in the final. 

To donate: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/valleytaverncharityboxing?utm_id=60&utm_term=GDwQD9pv7

Images by Taylor Lanning.

PLLIVERPOOL_68

Price reckons GYM helped him hit two perfect legs!

By Phil Lanning

GERWYN PRICE hit two perfect nine-dart finishes and reckoned it was down to being back in the GYM!

The former World Champ became only the second player in history to deliver two perfect legs on one night in Belfast.

Price, 36, beat Michael van Gerwen and then James Wade with the two incredible legs and won the final to pick up £10,000.

Phil Taylor was the only previous player to hit two nine-darters in one night, in the Premier League final of 2010, also against Wade. 

He beat Wade 6-4 in the final and said: “I told James in the backroom I’m going to hit two nine-darters.

“Tonight I felt like I couldn’t miss. Michael played really well against me and James, that was the best game we’ve ever had.

“I’m playing well, I’m feeling good in myself and I think it’s part and parcel of me being back in the gym and looking after myself. I’m back to almost my best.

“It’s pretty tough, I think next time I’ll have to hit three. The crowd were against me but at the end they were with me and that helps. That’s one of the best nights I’ve ever had.”

Price revealed earlier in the day he would be competing in a boxing bout on April 9. 

He certainly regained his knockout punch on the oche with a stunning perfect leg in just 48 seconds of 180, 177 and 144 finish in a classy win over Van Gerwen in the semi-finals. Then came the 180, 180, 141 in the final against Wade. 

That had come after wrapping up his last eight clash against Michael Smith with a sensational 170 checkout. 

Wade had beaten Jonny Clayton and Peter Wright to reach his first final of the year.

Images by Taylor Lanning.

PLLIVERPOOL_25

Price gets ready to knockout rival in boxing clash

By Phil Lanning

GERWYN PRICE is ready to get punchy as he gets ready for a BOXING bout. 

In a shock revelation on social media, the 2020 World Champion revealed he will make his ring debut later this year.

Price posted a message on his Instagram story with details about his latest sporting foray.

He will face Rhys “Cool Fly & Flashy” Evans at the Valley Tavern in Fleur De Lys, Wales on April 9.

That announcement makes sense of Price’s sudden surge of gym work and he admits he needs to lose weight for the contest. 

Underneath a poster promoting the bout, he added: “Need to drop 10kg for this.”

The date of his boxing clash is also curious as it comes between two Premier League nights on April 7 and April 14 in Leeds and Manchester. 

Images by Taylor Lanning.

WORLDSQF_46

Price aims to finally end Premier League jinx

By Phil Lanning

GERWYN PRICE is aiming to end his Cazoo Premier League hoodoo after never finishing higher than fifth. 

The 2021 World Champion takes on Gary Anderson on night two of this season at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool tonight. 

But Price, 36, has not had a good time in the Premier League, admitting he “hated” his first year in it, missing out on the semis by a point on two occasions and then getting ruled out by a positive Covid test a year ago.

After missing out on defending the World title, he doesn’t believe he has to stamp his authority as the best player in the world. 

He added: “Not at all, I know I’m playing well. On the day someone can just pip you a little bit like Jonny did and like Michael Smith did in the Worlds. Onto the next one. I don’t dwell too much on the past, I look towards what’s in front of me now.

“I can’t control what anyone else does. They can all throw darts fantastic. I only need to concentrate on my own game and do the best I can. As long as I’m on my game and keep them under pressure, that’s all I can do.

“I missed out last year and not really done well in this tournament before. I’ve reached the last five twice. It would be nice to get into the top four and lift this trophy.

“I want to win majors I haven’t won but this is the next big one on the list. Then the Matchplay Hopefully I can do that all in one year!

“I think in previous Premier Leagues I missed out on the top four by a point. Every week was vital then and every week is vital now. My mindset hasn’t changed. 

“It’s been the same since day one. It’s different. If you can get a good start, and I’ve always felt that was important to get an early win to get the pressure off you early doors.”

Night 2 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

Thursday February 10

Quarter-Finals

Peter Wright v Michael van Gerwen

Jonny Clayton v Michael Smith

James Wade v Joe Cullen

Gerwyn Price v Gary Anderson 

Images by Taylor Lanning.

SLAM_8

Polly: Tears to girl power and Iceman cheers

WOW, what a week!

Tears of the Rockstar, Premier League line-up announced, Women’s World Matchplay, PL starts as does the World Seniors.

There have not been as many emotional finals to match Joe Cullen dedicating the Ladbrokes Masters win to his mum Pam. And then his dad Frank getting up on stage to hold up the trophy. I was close to tears at home, I think everyone was.

I was also gutted for Dave Chisnall, he so deserves a major title as well.

But the Masters has once again proved it’s the breeding ground for the underdog. It worked for Jonny Clayton a year ago, now it’s elevated Joe into the Premier League. 

Surely he can’t repeat the feat of Jonny and win it?

This is modern day darts though. There are so many players in the top 15 or 20 who can win titles on their day. That sort of unpredictability is what makes the sport so absorbing. And we love it.

But we also love a bit of emotion. Nowadays some sports have just become so corporate, just about the millions of money earnt. Darts definitely isn’t like that.

To see Joe start to cry was so heartbreaking. Same as Wrighty and Michael Smith at the Worlds, it’s great to see sportsmen genuinely care.

It’s hard to pick a winner from the Premier League. The new format is awesome. I reckon that Gerwyn will be desperate to win after missing out last year, he’s my slight favourite because he’ll be fired-up more than anyone else.

The thing that will be interesting is that no player can relax ever. You can’t afford to have an off week. 

If that wasn’t enough this week, then came the first PDC Women’s TV tournament World Matchplay. That is just out of this world.

It is amazing how quickly women’s darts has taken the spotlight at the PDC after Fallon’s wins at the Worlds in 2019. Hats off to the PDC for sticking to their word and giving the women this golden opportunity. 

The great thing is that it gives more women more TV time on stage to show their ability. All eyes will be on Fallon yet again. But I’m sure Lisa Ashton, Mikuru Suzuki, Deta Hedman, Laura Turner will all want to make their point that Fallon’s not the only successful woman.

Lisa and Mikuru have been multiple world champions, they will want to show that experience is importance. But they’ve all got to qualify first, maybe there will be a few shocks. 

Lastly, at the other end of the scale, it’s the World Seniors. OMG. The GOAT Phil Taylor back on TV. It could be against Peter Manley on Friday. That will be so fascinating. No one has even considered that Phil might not win it, it’s just presumed he will.

But the likes of Lisa, Robert Thornton, Paul Lim and many others will be capable of causing an upset. They’ve all won titles before.

Big shout out to my Sky Sports buddy Keith Deller also featuring on the line who I know is so excited for this tournament and has been practicing very hard! Geaaan Del Boy! 

I don’t think I’ll be leaving the sofa for four days. Feet up; curry, pizzas, a few beers. Wall-to-wall darts. So lush!

Images by Taylor Lanning

Load More