Daryl Gurney kijkt uit naar zijn thuiswedstrijd in de Unibet Premier League of Darts. Aankomende donderdag reist het PDC-circus af naar het Noord-Ierse Belfast. Gurney won afgelopen weekend het German Darts Championship en werd daarmee de nummer drie van de wereld.
Gurney won afgelopen zondag zijn eerste European Tour titel, hij versloeg Ricky Evans met 8-6 in de finale in Hildesheim.
De Noord-Ier versloeg op weg naar de finale drie voormalige wereldkampioenen. Één van hen was Rob Cross, waar hij komende donderdag weer tegen speelt in de Premier League.
Gurney won door zijn overwinning £25.000 en haalde daarmee Peter Wright en Gary Anderson in op de wereldranglijst.
GURNEY: "It's a great feeling to be world number three heading into Belfast,
I was already over the moon to be returning to Belfast, I can't wait for it and to win my first European Tour event just a few days before it is the perfect start.
Heading into this year I knew I was defending a lot of money and I needed to get my act together so this is a welcome win.
I was desperate to win a European Tour event so I could complete a 'mini-Grand Slam' of TV events, ProTours and now a Euro Tour.
Last year in Belfast was one of the most magical experiences of my life, so to get the chance to do it again is a dream come true. I know the place will be absolutely buzzing again."
In de Premier League van 2018 speelde Gurney voor de eerste keer in Belfast. Hij speelde in die avond geen goede wedstrijd maar won met 7-5 van Rob Cross.
Nog geen vier maanden later had Gurney nog maar weinig zelfvertrouwen. Hij verloor toen met 11-3 van Joe Cullen op de World Matchplay.
GURNEY: "In Blackpool last July I thought my career was over,
2017 was my best year, it was a very proud year for me, but after struggling for a while in 2018 I wondered if my best darts were behind me.
I'm still a very nervous player but if I can get rid of the nerves then I reckon I've got another three gears to go through.
I keep on trying and hopefully I can keep getting better. In January I said this is going to be my best year and hopefully this is just the start of things to come."
Avond 10 - Donderdag 4 april
The SSE Arena, Belfast
Mensur Suljovic v James Wade
Michael Smith v Peter Wright
Rob Cross v Daryl Gurney
Michael van Gerwen v Gerwyn Price
© Foto's: Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)