‘I am getting back to my best’: Price buoyant after reaching Bahrain final

Gerwyn Price is “going in the right direction” after an encouraging display at the Bahrain Darts Masters.

Price, from Markham, was beaten 8-4 in the final by Stephen Bunting on Friday January 17, but claimed a scalp en route – dumping out newly-crowned world champion Luke Littler in the quarter-finals.

Following a disappointing 2024, Price enjoyed a welcome return to form at last month’s world championships, and is looking to build on that as he competes in the Premier League again this year.

“I know my game is going in the right direction. I am getting back to my best,” declared the 2021 world champion.

“I am practising well, but sometimes you get up on stage and it doesn’t happen, and that was the case in the final.

“People can write us off, but I always come back fighting stronger than ever.”

He added: “It’s nice to make another final, but I wanted that trophy. I’ve lost in the semi-finals, I’ve lost in the final twice, but I will get it next time.”

Price got his Bahrain Darts Masters campaign up and running with a 6-3 win over Hong Kong’s Lok Yin Lee in the opening round, before disposing of Littler.

The Iceman then defeated Peter Wright 7-4 in the semi-finals, before being beaten in the final.

“Stephen [Bunting] has been playing fantastic darts in the last 12 to 18 months,” reflected a gracious Price, also the runner-up in this competition to Michael Smith back in 2022.

“I missed a couple of opportunities and Stephen took out some big checkouts which obviously put me under pressure.

“I was always chasing the game, but the Premier League is just around the corner, so I think I’ll get him back.”

The World Series of Darts heads to the Netherlands later this week, with Price among the 16 players set to star in Den Bosch.

The competition will be held between Friday January 24 and Saturday January 25.