"I’m glad to have a smile back on my face" - Jonny Clayton returns to form with run to final of Dutch Darts Championship

Jonny Clayton came close but couldn't quite win a European Tour tournament for the third time in his career on Sunday night. 'The Ferret,' who previously managed to win the Austrian Darts Open twice, went down 8-4 against Josh Rock in the final of the Dutch Darts Championship in Rosmalen.

Clayton, who had dispatched the likes of Dave Chisnall, Ryan Searle and Michael van Gerwen earlier in the tournament on his run to the final, never really found his rhythm when the title was on the line however and eventually had to concede superiority to the Northern Irish number one. Both men did not reach their best level in the final, yet it was Rock who somewhat comfortably won in the end.

"I had chances to stay in the game, but I missed doubles and Josh didn’t. Josh played well," reflected a classy and modest Clayton in his post-match interview. "Josh has proven that he can do this week in week out. He’s a great guy and a great dart player."

A few years ago, the Welshman looked set to take the darting world by storm after winning the Premier League Darts among other major successes. Over the last year or so however, there has been a marked quieting for Clayton. As if to prove that fact, this was the first PDC ranking final since the 2023 World Matchplay for the Ferret. "I am glad to be back in a final again. I’m glad to have a smile back on my face, and I’m on the right track now,” he concludes with optimism.

Clayton does move up to eighth in the world rankings thanks to this run to the final though. He is still, behind Gerwyn Price, in the fight for Welsh number one, although, at the end of next month, both men will compete together again at the World Cup of Darts as they attempt to defend the pairs title that they won last year.