"A first title is coming" - Luke Woodhouse remains highest ranked PDC player without a title after Swiss Darts Trophy final heartbreak

Luke Woodhouse insisted he can take huge positives from his weekend in Basel after falling short in the final of the Swiss Darts Trophy against a rampant Stephen Bunting. Woody produced one of the best weekends of his PDC career to reach Sunday night’s decider, but was eventually overpowered 8-3 by the world number four.

The Englishman had fought his way past Ryan Searle in a dramatic quarter-final and then dispatched Cor Dekker 7-3 in the semis to set up the showdown with Bunting. After edging a scrappy opening leg of the final, he found himself immediately under pressure from the former Lakeside champion, who averaged over 100 for a fourth straight match on Finals Day.

Woodhouse battled hard to stay in touch, landing a 171 setup to snatch back one leg at 3-2, but could do little to stop Bunting’s surge. A 110 checkout from the St Helens star left him chasing, and by the time Bunting pinned an 83 finish to clinch victory, the result felt inevitable.

“He scored so heavily and proved why he’s where he is in the world,” reflected Woodhouse afterwards. “He kept me under the cosh from the start and I just could not get close to him.”

Despite the disappointment of defeat, the 35-year-old was keen to focus on the positives. “It’s all positive for me now. Just getting to a final is a massive achievement and I’d have taken it at the start of the weekend,” he said.

“I’m hoping now this can be the start of something I can really push on to and take this into the ProTours and into the rest of the year. I’m more than capable of playing against any player. I’ve beaten all the top players. Hopefully this year, a first title comes.”

For Woodhouse, Basel marks another step forward in a career that has often promised much without yet delivering silverware. Still labelled as the highest-ranked player without a PDC title, his run to the final reinforced that he belongs on the biggest stages. If he can harness the confidence of this weekend and bring it into the grind of the ProTour, his long wait for a breakthrough victory may finally be drawing to a close.