Gerwyn Price triumphed over Joe Cullen in a dramatic third-round match at the Darts World Championship, winning 4-3 after initially leading 3-0. The match featured intense moments, including missed darts and a thrilling 170 checkout. Price will face Jonny Clayton in the next round. Meanwhile, Peter Wright defeated Jermaine Wattimena 4-2, and current world number one Luke Humphries advanced with a 4-0 win over Nick Kenny. Damon Heta achieved a nine-darter but lost to Luke Woodhouse 4-3.
Gerwyn Price Triumphs in Thrilling Third Round
Gerwyn Price and Joe Cullen delivered an unforgettable showdown at the Darts World Championship, with Price emerging victorious in a dramatic third-round face-off, securing his place in the round of 16.
Ranked tenth in the world, Price initially built a commanding 3-0 lead, but the match quickly transformed into a nail-biting contest filled with missed chances on both sides. Ultimately, Price managed to hold back tears of joy on stage after clinching a 4-3 victory.
The 39-year-old Welshman started the match with impressive accuracy, dominating the triple-20 area. However, as he began to miss doubles, Cullen capitalized and steadily narrowed the gap, game by game.
As the decisive set unfolded, the atmosphere at ‘Ally Pally’ was electric. Cullen missed a crucial match dart, followed by Price’s three failed attempts to secure the win. After a tense sequence of six missed darts and a spectacular 170 checkout that leveled the set at 5-5, the match reached its thrilling peak. Price ultimately sealed the win using his fourth match dart and is set to face fellow countryman Jonny Clayton in the next round on Monday night.
In an exciting moment, the match also witnessed the 500th ‘180’ thrown, prompting a sponsor to donate £1,000 to a charitable organization.
Peters Wright and Luke Humphries Advance
On the same night, Peter Wright progressed to the last 16 with a more straightforward victory over Dutch competitor Jermaine Wattimena, winning 4-2 despite battling health challenges and a persistent cough. Notably, this marks Wright’s first appearance in the round of 16 in three years, where he will encounter the defending champion, Luke Humphries.
Humphries, the current world number one, also advanced effortlessly, defeating young Welshman Nick Kenny with a commanding 4-0 performance.
Earlier in the day, Australian player Damon Heta, known as ‘The Heat’, accomplished the tournament’s second nine-darter against Englishman Luke Woodhouse. This perfect finish in the third leg of the second set showcased Heta’s skills, although he ultimately lost the match after squandering a 3-1 lead, finishing with a score of 3-4.
Despite the loss, Heta celebrated his remarkable achievement on the prestigious stage, stating, “Everyone wants to hit a nine-darter on the biggest stage. Of course, I’m happy for him; I couldn’t hold back my emotions,” referring to his friend and training partner.
The Darts World Championship offers a substantial £180,000 prize for each nine-darter, a sum shared among the player, a fan, and a charitable cause. In a previous match, Martin Schindler nearly achieved this feat but was eliminated early after facing challenges with doubles, losing 0-3 to Callan Rydz.