"I'd like to get to number one and retire on the spot" - Gary Anderson rules out return to Premier League Darts

Gary Anderson is into the quarter-finals of the 2024 European Championship in Dortmund. 'The Flying Scotsman' comfortably dispatched old rival Michael van Gerwen 10-4 in the second round and now meets Ritchie Edhouse.

Van Gerwen gained a break lead early in the match by throwing out 107, but immediately lost the break again. With a 13-darter and a 60 finish, Anderson took over the lead. A 12-darter and a 14-darter gave Anderson a 4-1 advantage going into the break. After the break, it then became 5-1 for the Scot. That margin remained in place, including after a 12-darter by Anderson for a 7-3 lead. Anderson then made it 8-3 by throwing out 64. Van Gerwen broke Anderson in the 12th leg via double 8, but then surrendered his own throw again by not being out in six visits. With a 16-darter, Anderson extended his lead to 9-4. The two-time world champion then closed the match beautifully with a 12-darter.

“It wasn’t really Michael up there,” admitted Anderson afterwards, having averaged 97 and landed five 180s in victory over his storied rival. “Michael has achieved everything in darts. He’s been absolutely mustard for the last decade, so it’s still a privilege to play against him. I just did enough to win tonight. My TV game is still a mile away from my performances on the ProTour, but we’re still going!”

As mentioned, Anderson will take on Edhouse, who stunned former world champion Michael Smith in the quarterfinals to reach the last eight at a major for the first time in his career. "Richie has been about for a long, long time and he's just done the world number two tonight you know. So that tells you something," Anderson assesses. "He can play the game."

Anderson himself is currently down in 20th place in the PDC Order of Merit. Even if he wins every tournament from now until the end of the year, the Scot isn't planning on a Premier League Darts return though. "I'd like to get to number one and retire on the spot. That would cause a lot of grief," he laughs. "I've spoken with my manager about the Premier League. I've done it for so many years, fantastic. Couldn't do it now."