Josh Rock had been yet to win a televised match this year, but at the
Grand Slam of Darts, everything is different. With three wins from three matches, 'Rocky' took the group win. On Monday night, he beat Berry van Peer 5-1 in his final group match.
"The game against Berry was all banter, just a bit of fun," the Northern Irishman laughed post-match in his press conference. "We got on very well and he was playing well the first three legs. Then he started getting involved with the crowds, then I got involved with it as well because you might as well! I just lost focus completely because I knew the job was done if that makes sense."
NEW: Click here to go to our LIVE SCORE to follow The Grand Slam of Darts!! The group win is incredibly satisfying for Rock, but he is still keeping a wary eye ahead of the knockout stage. ''I would take confidence but I haven't been playing well the first two games against Chris Dobey and Jonny Clayton," the Northern Irishman stated. "When my focus is 100% there it'll happen. Obviously, it didn't happen tonight because my focus wasn't there but Josh Rock is back."
Last year, Rock was still the rising star in the darts world. This year, there is less talk about the 22-year-old darter, who did just make four Pro Tour finals. However, the role of underdog suits Rock a lot better.
"It was obviously a lot of pressure. You always say it wasn't, but it was. The start of this season wasn't great but the last push towards the end of the year has been better," concludes the Northern Irish number one.