"I think Luke’s had a bit of luck on his side recently" - Gerwyn Price not rueing tantalising Littler defeat as he looks to reinstate belief on the big stages

Gerwyn Price has never been the biggest fans of the Premier League Darts. That is even despite his recent positive form in the event. Him and seven other darters are set to commence the darting roadshow once more, with communicating in his press conference that he is hoping to continue his fine form.

"I’m not sure if it’s just being a bit more positive last season, or enjoying it a bit more. I started getting some of the results I feel I deserve, so fingers crossed it’ll be the same this season."

The Premier League is not yet on the Price mantelpiece. He came close in 2023, the overwhelming favourite against Michael van Gerwen before failing to produce the goods in the final. He is hoping to finally get over the line in one of the bigger major tournaments he is yet to get his hands on. "That’s what I’m here for. I want to win as many majors as I can, and especially the ones I haven’t won — and this is one of them. So fingers crossed it’s going to be a good season. Make the play-offs and hopefully lift it."

The Winmau World Masters brought up another classic between Price and the world number one Luke Littler. 'The Iceman' had a match dart on tops to win it, narrowly missing the target. Littler would go on to wrap it up, sealing another closely fought win against the Welshman while cementing his spot in the final, which he would go on to win.

Maybe another day Price gets over the line, but this thought has not been racing around his mind too much. "No, I don’t dwell on it too much," he revealed. "I know it’s my own fault sometimes why I’m losing matches. If I keep practising and keep playing as well as I am, then things will change."

He is looking forward to playing Littler again in the Premier League, along with all the other talents. "Not just Luke Littler — everybody in the Premier League. I think the players really deserve to be in it and they’re going to perform brilliantly over the next 16 weeks, and hopefully 17 weeks for me."

One of the players he is glad to see back in the big time is his good pal Jonny Clayton. The pair served up a barnstormer in Milton Keynes, with many more ties expected between the pair, including in their home event. "Yeah, and it’s good that we’re on separate halves in Cardiff," he unveiled. "It might be an all-Welsh final. Fingers crossed I can come through my side as well."

This will be the eighth time Price has competed in the Premier League, qualifying every year since 2018. The only year he did not compete was in 2021 when he withdrew.

This year, he is full of confidence and ready for his darts to do the talking after a positive weekend in Milton Keynes. "Not just the way I played, but the standard of the opponents as well. Apart from the Chris Dobey game, I think everyone threw a 100-plus average against me," he said. "I came through some good battles and just fell short against young Luke again. On another day, those darts will go in."

The conversation again found itself talking about that semi-final against Littler. Despite missing a match dart, that was not the moment which cost Price a shot at glory. "The game could’ve gone either way. If that double top goes in, it’s different. But for me, it wasn’t that leg that cost me," he stated.

"It was the first leg of the first set — I think I could’ve gone two sets up and put pressure on him. Instead, I felt like I was chasing all game. I got myself into a winning position and just clipped the wire. Next time, it’ll go in."

The former world champion was waiting for the first results to go on the board before seeing how positive he feels. "Ask me in three, four, five weeks’ time if I’ve won any games and see how positive I am then. It’s vital to get a good start in the Premier League. Once you do that, the games feel a little bit easier."

There has been a changed mindset around Price, stemming from huge disappointment from not qualifying for the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts, an event he has won on three separate occasions.

"Missing the Grand Slam a season or two ago really hit me. I was sat in the house for ten days not knowing what to do with myself. I realised I needed to be more positive when I’m away. I used to think when I was away I wanted to be home, and when I was home I wanted to be away. Missing that tournament gave me a kick up the backside. When I’m away now, I want to give 110 per cent and stay positive."

The past few years has seen a seismic shift in how the crowd treats Price on stage. From continuous booing and jeering when walking on and when on stage to the fans singing his name around the halls and stadiums.

It is a very welcomed change for Price, who expects more support in Newcastle. "I’m hoping so. There will still be venues where I’m up against it — if I’m playing Luke Littler in Manchester or Luke Humphries in Leeds, for example. Hopefully not if I’m playing Jonny in Cardiff. I’m just looking forward to getting out there and hopefully getting that support again."

Especially in key periods of the match is when Price cherishes the fact that the boos and whistles have quietened down. "It’s a lot easier when you’ve got support. If someone’s heckling or booing you when you’re on doubles to win matches, it adds pressure. It’s nice just to be able to throw darts without that."

Unlike the standard Premier League scoring format, the Masters is played in set play, first to two legs wins the set. This makes for an enthralling cluster of matches where the momentum of a match can shift in an instant.

"That format is difficult anyway — if anything, it can be a bit of a leveller. The game against Luke could’ve gone either way. Even the final between both Lukes could’ve gone either way. It was nip and tuck right to the end."

While Littler got through both matches with a huge amount of skill, Price believed it was more than that to seal him another major title. "I think Luke’s had a bit of luck on his side recently, but hopefully that’ll change."

Price could meet Littler in the final tomorrow, but if he has got any chance to get some points on the board he will have to take down the reigning champion Humphries in his opening match. "My preparation’s exactly the same. I turn up with the amount of time I need to practise," he stated. "It’s going to be tough — Luke’s playing brilliant, and we’re all playing pretty well. It’ll be a great game and I’m really looking forward to it."

He feels that once the belief comes back, he will be back to his imperious best on the oche. "I don’t think it’s far off. I just need a bit more belief in myself. I sometimes still doubt myself in big matches. But that’ll come with winning. Once one major comes, they’ll come thick and fast. It’s just getting that first one again."

While he never doubts his ability, the fact that he has not won a major title since 2023 does worry him slightly. "I don’t doubt my ability — I know I can win matches. On the Pro Tour it comes easy because I’ve won there recently. But when you haven’t won a major for a while, you probably try a bit too hard. So maybe 'doubt' is the wrong word. It’s more about trying too hard to get over the line. I don’t doubt myself."