"I do get a bit of stick that I’m the oldest in there, I'm a young 51": 'Grandad' Jonny Clayton beats the young guard to win Premier League in Glasgow

Beforehand, many tipped him as the man who would finish bottom. Too old, no longer consistent enough, overtaken by the new generation – that was the outside verdict. But on the big Premier League Darts stage, Jonny Clayton once again proved why he belongs there. With his first nightly title since his return, the Welshman showed that class endures – and that experience is still worth its weight in gold.

Clayton was too strong for Gian van Veen in the final of Night 3 of the Premier League Darts 2026, winning 6-2. “It’s great. Obviously it’s a great honour to win one of these nights against these players," he said as per Online Darts.

And those weren’t just words. The path to victory was one of personal hurdles and sporting revenge.

The first hurdle was a mental one right away. In previous meetings, Clayton had repeatedly been second best to compatriot Gerwyn Price. Ten defeats in a row – it was a statistic that weighed like a millstone around his neck.

“The first job was trying to get Gezzy out – that little thing of losing to him 10 times. That was a big relief really because I’ve had a few chances against Gezzy before but not taken them. So tonight I took my chances.”

And how. Clayton played solidly, seized his moments, and finally laid his frustration to rest.

“You think about it: how do I beat him? I need to take my chances. What do I do to do this? Tonight it worked for me. I was quite solid against him, so yeah, it’s just my night and I’m chuffed to bits.”

The win over Price may not have felt bigger than the nightly victory itself, but emotionally it was liberating.

“It was nice to get that monkey off my back, it really was.”

What followed was perhaps even more impressive. Clayton stormed to a 6-1 victory over Luke Littler before facing Gian van Veen in the final.

“I didn’t expect to beat the best young player on the planet 6-1, and then to beat Gian in the end – it’s my night, it’s my night and that’s all that counts.”

Although the interviewer referred to the strength of the opposition, Clayton kept his focus simple.

“The standard of this game at the moment, anybody can win. So that’s the thing – I’ve just got to get up on that stage and concentrate on my game, not care about anybody else’s game. If I can do my game right, I’ve got a good chance of winning and that’s what I try to do.”

His level was particularly high this evening. At one stage he was averaging 110 and even missed double six for a 116 checkout before regaining control.

“I don’t know if it was one of the best games, I don’t know. But it felt good in my game, I felt really good. I think I kept him under pressure, so the game gets a little bit more difficult for him then. I’m doing my job and that’s all that counts.”

The decisive blow came in style: a 156 checkout to seal it.

“Yeah, it’s a good way to finish. So yeah, really happy with that.”

Before the tournament began, some analysts had Clayton down as the favourite to finish last. Given his previous Premier League success, that was striking to say the least.

“It is what it is, isn’t it? I can’t change that, can I? I just get up there and try to play my darts and obviously I’m doing something right.”

That down-to-earth approach typifies the Welshman. No big words, no chest-thumping – just delivering when it matters.

Even so, this nightly win carries real significance.

“Yeah, maybe. But you’ve got to look at it – I know what I’ve got to do to get to Week 17. I need points on the board and, so far, so good.”

In the current Premier League format, it’s all about collecting points and finishing in the top four to make the Play-Offs in London. Clayton knows better than anyone how crucial a good start is.

“My aim is to get to Week 17 and then who knows? If I win two points on that board every week, it’s hard to stop on Week 17.”

He also knows what it feels like to be chasing.

“Yeah, it’s massive, it really, really is. It’s massive. Once they’re on that board, you can’t take them away, so it’s for the people to chase. I’ve been there, I’ve done that. It is difficult if you’re not winning, but that’s the game.”

Another recurring theme in darts is the rise of young stars. Clayton, now 51, smiles at the narrative.

“I’m a young 51 – a really young 51!”

In the practice room, he admits he takes a bit of stick.

“I walk into that practice room and I do get a bit of stick that I’m the oldest in there, don’t get me wrong. It’s just ‘here comes Grandad’ kind of thing. But it’s all fun, it’s all in good heart and that’s what you want. It’s a fun day, it relaxes you, and yeah, it’s great – really good to be back on the winning side of things.”

Despite the talk of it being a young man’s game, Clayton remains confident in the depth of the field.

“We’re picked to play this competition on ability, so we’re all out to win. We’re doing our job at the moment.”

Notably, after three nights the much-discussed Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have yet to win a night. But Clayton guards against complacency.

“They’ve not clicked, but I’m sure they will. I’m sure them two will click and then it’s going to be difficult for us all again. So I’m trying to get as many points on the board as I can early on and then hopefully you’ll see me in London.”

For Clayton, this night feels like confirmation. Not just to the outside world, but above all to himself.

“Hopefully I’ve started off good and hopefully I can carry on.”