"Never going to win multiple majors": Ex-pro finds issue with Stephen Bunting's title chances for one reason

Stephen Bunting is a former World Champion and also Masters champion but he is not seen as a major contender according to ex-pro Andy Cornwall due to his stance on the oche.

Speaking as part of the Mission Darts Podcast also featuring Matt Edgar, Cornwall compared him to Wes Newton and said that he is very much another iteration of the Blackpool ace in regards to standing on the wrong part of the oche to throw.

Bunting stands at the right and at the end so angles them in based off his throw something that he believes gives the Bullet a huge disadvantage.

“Commentators again were surprised in the World Grand Prix that Bunting hasn’t won more majors. I’m sat there and I’m not. I’m not surprised at all and I love Stephen," he said on the Mission Darts Podcast.

“I used to practice with him years ago and I’ve played with him a few times, but I’m not surprised. He’s another Wes Newton. He stands in the wrong place. Sorry, but you’re never going to be consistent standing two foot to the right of the oche. You’re not.

“You’re a brilliant player, a thousand times better than what I ever was.  But you are not going to be as consistent as a Michael van Gerwen, a Luke Littler, a Luke Humphries who’s standing in the middle.  

“Both sides of the board are the same distance. Standing two foot to the right is ridiculous. And you’re never going to win multiple majors. Sorry, that’s my rant about Stephen.” 

But while that is the case, he also warded off Bunting deciding to go too far in regards to the change saying that he doesn't want to be Newton who changed it too dramatically and it hindered him.

“I know Wes [Newton] listens to the podcast — hi Wes — another good pal of mine. He actually tried to move further left later in his career to become more consistent, but it messed up his throw completely.

“That’s not the point though. Stephen’s never going to win multiple majors because of where he stands. He’s going to have times when he’s buzzing and beats everybody, and he’s going to have times when he’s not quite on. So, I don’t agree with the commentators on that one either.”