"Do I need it? No. Do I want to be in it? No. I don’t need that chaos in my life" – Daryl Gurney rules out return to Premier League if opportunity arose

Daryl Gurney remains unwavering in his belief in Josh Rock, despite the latter’s difficult run in the Premier League Darts. According to the Northern Irishman, Rock’s first win in Berlin is exactly the push needed to get his campaign going.

Rock, the world number seven, finally broke the spell on Night Eight. After seven straight defeats, he convincingly dispatched Jonny Clayton 6-3 in the quarterfinals. A victory that, according to Gurney, means more than just two points.

“I still think Josh Rock will come good,” said the two-time major winner. "He is only halfway through the Premier League now. The hard stage is over he has played everybody. I feel like the next one for him is just around the corner.”

Gurney, himself a Premier League participant between 2018 and 2020, stresses above all the mental resilience of his compatriot. Rock’s rapid rise towards the absolute world elite makes him, in ‘Superchin’s’ view, resistant to setbacks.

“I think for me Josh is so mentally strong. He has come such a short way in such a short space of time. I think this will not affect him."

Gurney’s support isn’t limited to words in the media. Every week, he sends Rock a message, without interfering with his game. “I text him good luck every week. He just replies back and goes, ‘Thanks, D.' I don’t give him advice because it’s Josh Rock. He is one of the best players on the planet. He doesn’t need my advice."

Gurney sees clear differences between himself and his countryman. “I am a hard-working, grafting dart player, whereas Josh Rock is more natural.”

That blend proved highly successful last year when the duo lifted the World Cup of Darts together. “You have to support your partner and that’s my partner. If I don’t support him, who else will? I am going to keep his confidence up until we get into the World Cup."

Gurney’s focus is therefore firmly on defending that title. Individual success matters less to him at the moment. “I’d rather go back-to-back World Cup champions than win an individual tournament for myself.”

Gurney himself has no ambitions to return to the Premier League, despite previous appearances and ongoing interest. “I went there in Belfast whenever Josh was playing in the Premier League. They want me back in the Premier League. I don’t need the Premier League. That is the last thing on my mind. I would need to win something major and we are talking the Worlds or the Matchplay to even be in the thoughts."

The Northern Irishman is clear about his priorities: “Do I need it? No. Do I want to be in it? No. I don’t need that chaos in my life." Though he does leave the door slightly ajar: “If they all of a sudden came to me and said, ‘Do you want to play in it?’ I would definitely say yes."