Paul Nicholson on the 2025 PDC season: Player of the Year, finest nine-darter and most remarkable comeback
PDC
The 2025 PDC season is halfway through, and with a calendar already bulging with spectacle, titles and surprises, it's time for a midterm review. Paul Nicholson, former top darter and Sporting Life analyst, looks back on the first half of the season and hands out his personal awards.
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With 20 different winners on the circuit, the competition is greater than ever. But who stands out? It’s really difficult to pick just one player because there’s been 20 different winners on the circuit so far this season which is fantastic to see and shows the depth of talent right now. However I’m going to have to give the nod to Luke Humphries."
For Nicholson, the choice of Luke Humphries makes sense, especially after his win in the Premier League Darts, in which he beat Luke Littler in the final. "He ticked the Premier League title off his list by beating Luke Littler and he’s now very close to completing the full set of majors."
"To get through the long campaign and have enough energy towards the end to actually get it done against such an incredible talent was really impressive, while we can’t forget he also won the Winmau World Masters back in February.
"That was his only ranked title of the campaign but that’s understandable when you consider he chose to miss a lot of tournaments to stay fresh and focused on the Premier League. His recent US Masters success added to his pot of unranked cash and was the perfect response to his World Cup of Darts disappointment with Littler that received a lot of unfair criticism."
Match of the year: Littler vs. Humphries in Aberdeen
The rivalry between Luke Littler and Luke Humphries has colored the season, with the absolute highlight being their legendary duel in Aberdeen, on a Premier League night.
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"You can never get bored of watching the many matches we’ve seen between the two Lukes, especially when they’re both in the mood. It’s something that takes your breath away."
"There was one particular night in Aberdeen this season when they produced an absolute classic of the ages and I’m sure every reader will know instantly which one I’m talking about."
Littler won 6-3, notching an average of 115.96 and throwing five 180s. Humphries was hardly less impressive with 110.01 and nine maximum scores. In just nine legs, 14 180s fell.
"I remember sitting down after and just leaning back, thinking, “What was that?”This kind of match was never the norm but now when these two come up against each other, it’s the kind of thing we can expect. That said, it’s still no less thrilling when they do deliver."
Fairytale moment of the year: Northern Ireland wins World Cup
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Nicholson said the best sports moment of the season came from an unexpected source: Northern Ireland's victory at the World Cup of Darts. The duo of Daryl Gurney and Josh Rock defeated the experienced Welsh team in a thrilling final.
"To see Daryl Gurney and Josh Rock show so much emotion certainly made this the most heartwarming moment of the season so far, especially with the sportsmanship offered from both Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton."
Gurney's resurgence especially stands out for the analyst. "We all know about the potential of Rock, but we’ve been saying for a good while that Gurney is showing signs of bouncing back to more successful times in his career, so it’s great to see him lifting a trophy once again.This really could be a springboard for him to challenge for big individual honours again and the financial boost will also help ease any pressures that may have been building."
Best nine-darter: Gerwyn Price (week 15, Premier League)
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With 31 nine-darters this year, five of them televised, it's hard to choose. But Nicholson quickly found his favorite.
"Price actually did it twice and it’s the second of those against Stephen Bunting which was my favourite.It was the 15th week of the campaign and he was almost gesturing the fact that he was going to get a second set of golden darts from the title sponsor.
"This was another dose of the blockbuster version of Price we’ve all loved watching in recent months, even though he lost the match!
Most improved player: Jonny Clayton
A striking choice for this category, Nicholson himself acknowledges. "I know it seems really weird to say someone as established as Jonny Clayton but after a relatively lean patch over the past couple of seasons, he’s enjoyed a superb resurgence in 2025 and is actually ranked second for ranked prize money behind Luke Littler.
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Clayton finished second at the World Masters, won two titles (including a European Tour event) and is now second on the 2025 ranked prize money list, trailing only Littler.
"I think there were question marks as to whether we’d seen the best of him because of his age but it really does feel like he’s been reborn and that’s tremendous to see."
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
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- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
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