"Jonny’s Welsh number one at the minute, and I want to try and get back there": Gerwyn Price had added motivation in facing good friend Clayton

Gerwyn Price has once again shown why he still belongs to the absolute elite. In a gripping and emotionally charged Welsh clash against Jonny Clayton, The Iceman ultimately edged it.

The match had everything that makes top level darts so compelling, heavy scoring, majestic checkouts, mental swings, and a winner takes all final leg. Afterward, Price spoke candidly about the match, his form, his ambitions, and his rivalry with Clayton.

The second round tie at the Winmau World Masters 2026 was anything but ideal for Price at the start. Clayton flew out of the blocks and immediately put his countryman under pressure. Price was the first to admit he put himself in trouble early on, with a missed 72 checkout proving costly in hindsight.

“I put myself under a lot of pressure early on,” Price said. “I think missing the 72 to go a set up. Jonny flew out of the blocks, and for him to have that set gave me a bit more confidence and a bit of a boost going into the next set.”

Despite trailing by two sets, Price remained remarkably composed. Where many players would lose their grip in that situation, the former world champion stuck to his own game.

“I knew Jonny was playing well, but I was playing well as well,” he explained. “I just thought, hang in there, get back in, 2–0, happy days.”

The turning point came via a phenomenal 161 checkout, a moment that completely shifted the momentum. “The combination finish in that 161 really changed the destiny of that game,” Price admitted.

He later showcased his class on the doubles again, taking out finishes of 102, 120 and 126 under pressure. “The 161, the 102, I think we got the 120, even the 126,” he said. “Those are moments that give you confidence, especially in a match like this.”

Yet it was anything but comfortable. Price acknowledged that missed chances late on allowed Clayton back into the contest. “At the end of that match as well I missed opportunities and let Jonny come back in,” he said. “It wasn’t nice.”

A maximum 180 in the deciding leg proved decisive. “Thankfully I started with a 180 last leg and put him under a bit of pressure,” Price added. “But I didn’t want it to get that far.”

The history between Price and Clayton inevitably came up afterward. Price revealed he was not fully aware of his dominant record against his fellow Welshman before the match.

“I did once I’d seen it on social media, but before today, no, I didn’t know,” he said. “I don’t really look at stuff like that because anyone can beat anyone on any given day.”

Still, he admitted that playing another Welsh star brings an added edge. “Maybe both being Welsh and having that pride,” Price said. “Jonny’s Welsh number one at the minute, and I want to try and get back there.”

Interestingly, Price appears to raise his level against close friends. While some players struggle in those situations, he sees it differently.

“There really are no friends on stage,” he said. “We are friends off it, but I’m up there to win.”

The mindset is one he still recognises from his rugby days, even if the aggression has softened. “I’m not saying I want to rip someone’s head off like I did when I used to play rugby,” he joked, “but I’m up there to win.”

With the rest of the tournament and the wider season in mind, the victory carried extra significance. Ranking points and prize money are firmly in focus, with £100,000 awaiting the winner.

“I don’t say I don’t look at rankings,” Price explained. “Obviously you look at rankings and see where you’re defending and where you could rise to. As long as you’re in the top 16, it doesn’t really matter where you are.”

The timing of Price’s form looks ideal with the Premier League approaching. He is well aware of the unique demands of the competition.

“The Premier League is totally different,” he said. “It’s 16 weeks. It’s tough.”

Still, he is relishing the challenge. “I’ve been in it a couple of years now. If I weren’t in it, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself,” Price added. “I’m just looking forward to getting the campaign underway.”

His physical condition was also discussed, with Price hopeful that improved fitness will help during long match days. “It’s how you manage your time in between,” he explained. “Whether you relax, get a shower, refresh. I’m not sure if it’s to do with fitness, but hopefully it does help.”

Looking ahead to his next opponent, Chris Dobey, Price stayed grounded. “Whoever you’re playing in this tournament, it’s going to be tough,” he said. “I never worry about the opponent. I go out and concentrate on my own game.”

The statistics underlined the quality of the contest, with both players averaging around 102. Price believes those matchups naturally sharpen his focus.

“I probably concentrate a little bit more against Jonny,” he admitted. “But I concentrate every single game, and some go my way, some don’t.”

One thing is clear, Gerwyn Price remains hungry. His performances over the past 12 to 18 months have been strong, even if major titles have not followed yet.

“You just need a little bit of luck, a rub of the green,” he said. “And trophies will come your way.”