"I really want to win the World Matchplay, the same goes for the World Championship" - Josh Rock going big for the rest of 2026 ahead of US Darts Masters debut

It is a first experience of darts in the USA for Josh Rock as he is set to debut in the US Darts Masters. Pumped up to step on stage at the Madison Square Gardens, he is outlined his lofty 2026 ambitions while echoed the 'bottle' inside him following his World Cup heroics.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he was very excited to be there while enjoying himself thoroughly. "Just coming to America full stop," he said. "It's the first time for myself and my wife, so I'll definitely come back again. It's been beautiful so far."

Rock has finally risen to the elite of darts in recent times. A young talent with so much potential, that has started to be showcased to the world. While his debut Premier League Darts campaign did not go to plan, he did enjoy the experience of playing in huge venues.

Now, he has the chance to compete in the illustrious Madison Squares Gardens. "I've watched boxing most of my life and I've watched UFC most of my life," he stated. "There have obviously been massive events that have happened here over the last 25 years since I've been born. Being here where some of the greats have performed is very, very special."

He was honoured to have his face pop up around New York, summing up the insane rise of the 25-year-old. "Obviously New York is probably one of the most famous places in the world. To be on billboards and things like that, showing we're here and playing at Madison Square Garden, is very special."

'The City That Never Sleeps' has lived up to expectation. "Yeah, obviously that's why a lot of films are made in New York, because they know how special it is. I'm very grateful that the PDC have given me the opportunity to be here, and I'm cherishing it as much as I can."

He is currently full of excitement to hear his name blast around the venue ahead of his walk-on. "Hopefully I don't get too nervous. Getting my name called out at Madison Square Garden is special. I'm looking forward to playing tomorrow and we'll see what happens."

Rock again proudly represented Northern Ireland with Daryl Gurney at the World Cup of Darts. They were unable to retain their crown, exiting in the semi-finals after losing 8-2 to the eventual runner-up the Netherlands. In the quarter-final win over Latvia, Rock produced an incredibly 144 checkout with Madars Razma set to throw at 24 for the match.

Instead, Rock hit the double 12 target in eye-catching fashion. "I don't know how many times I've watched it back, but it just showed bottle. In circumstances like that, you have to show bottle," he stated.

"Latvia was sat on 24, and everybody saw Razma's reaction. He probably thought, 'I might get a sneaky chance.' Then it was just bang, bang, bang. Daryl Gurney fell to the floor. Listen, when you put that jersey on and represent your country, you have to perform, and I seem to always perform."

As special those moments are, he is not totally satisfied with that. "Yeah, of course. But I want to put my stamp on the individual majors. I really want to win the World Matchplay, and I'm going to focus as much as I can on trying to win it. The same goes for the World Championship. I just want that first individual major singles title."

Sticking with the World Matchplay, 'Rocky' reached the semi-final stage last year, losing a thriller against eventual champion Luke Littler. The US Darts Masters will serve as good preparation for a return to the Winter Gardens. "I think the edge I have this year is that I've played a lot on TV, especially with the whole Premier League campaign," he acknowledged. "I think that will help me going into it because TV experience is the best experience you can get. Being in the Premier League has definitely helped with that."

A deep run could also signal a rise in the rankings. Top four is the target, which will automatically gain him entry into the Premier League. "That's definitely the goal this year. I'll try my best and won't stop until I get there," he said.

Now a more experienced player, he comes across as more relaxed and mature player on stage. "I'd say it all comes down to experience," he noted. "This is my fifth season now, so I've been a professional for nearly five years. The more you do it, the more you get used to it. I think that's probably helped."

He was confident in delivering a big title before the year has culminated. "Hopefully big things and hopefully a couple of major titles. That's what I really want to do, so I need to keep pushing and pushing.

"I'm looking to tick off an individual major. Everybody says the World Cup is a major, and it is. But personally, I think when you win an individual major, that's when you really class it as your major title."