"Do I think I should have been in Premier League? Yes I do" - Jonny Clayton admits he was 'gutted' to miss out on selection for 2025

Jonny Clayton has made an excellent start to the new year. 'The Ferret' reached the final at the Winmau World Masters, reached the semifinals at the UK Open and has risen to world number five. Last Thursday night in Cardiff though, Clayton's absence from the 2025 Premier League Darts lineup was really felt.

One of the key aspects in Clayton's recent return to form has been a change in his set-up. "I've changed my darts before and always I go back, but this time I've changed them and they seem to be going okay. Hopefully it carries on," he assesses in conversation with Online Darts. "I don't mean this in any bad way at all, but I find darts as a hobby, not as my job. I love it as a hobby and you know, even though it is my job, it's a hobby to me and that's what I want to keep in my mind because I'll enjoy it more."

As mentioned, because of his strong start to the 2025 season, the 50-year-old Welshman is currently up to number 5 in the PDC Order of Merit. For Clayton now, a first ever appearance in the world's top 4 is within sight. "It's one of these things that, obviously I want to get there, but if I get there or not, I'm not going to put too much pressure on myself," he says of his ranking. "I play better when I don't care and I don't overthink. I get up on that stage, I try my hardest to win that game. If I lose, I will try again, but I won't cry about it when I get back to the hotel room."

The selection of the lineup for the 2025 Premier League Darts caused more controversy and debate than arguably any edition previously. One of those of the wrong side of the call, was former winner Clayton, who missed out on selection for the second year running. "100% it hurts, so I'd be a liar to say that it doesn't," admits the Welshman honestly. "Do I think I should have been in Premier League? Yes I do. But I don't blame any players. At the end of the day, when you get an offer to be a part of the greatest show in the darts world, because I prefer the Premier League to the World Championships."

"So I'm not going to lie, I was gutted not to be in it. But there's nothing I could do about it," Clayton adds. "The decision was made that there was other players who deserve a shot before me. I bet you if you asked Chizzy (Dave Chisnall ed.) the same question, Chizzy would probably say the same."