Jonny Clayton On Track For Big World Cup Bid For Wales Alongside Gerwyn Price

Jonny Clayton. Pic: Alamy

Jonny Clayton is up to fifth in the world and ready for more glory with Wales after lifting the Dutch Darts Championship, as Ian Mitchelmore reports.

With £30,000 in prize money banked, Jonny Clayton moved up to fifth in the PDC's Order of Merit on Sunday night.

The 50-year-old had just beaten Niko Springer to win the 2025 Dutch Darts Championship final - his first big stage title since partnering Gerwyn Price to World Cup glory in June 2023.

The last hurdle was far from a simple one for the Welshman to overcome, though, as Clayton had to come from 3-0, 4-1 and 5-2 down before triumphing 8-6 against 24-year-old German Springer.

But Clayton had impressed throughout the weekend in Rosmalen, a place he holds so dearly in his heart having won Players Championship 14 at the same venue last month.

He earned wins against Max Hopp and former European champion Ross Smith before producing a scintillating average of more than 106 to beat home favourite Danny Noppert.

Clayton again produced a fine display to overcome top seed and world number one Luke Humphries before defeating Springer in the showpiece final.

With this year's World Cup getting underway on June 12, Clayton has hit form at just the right time as he bids for a third success alongside compatriot Price on the world stage.

The England pair of Humphries and Luke Littler will take some stopping in Frankfurt next month, but if anyone can topple the two men who currently occupy the top two places in the rankings, it's the Wales duo of Price and Clayton.

Having been overlooked for the Premier League this year, Clayton has had to continue to plug away to rediscover his best form away from the glitz and glamour of those cross-European Thursday nights.

But the Pontyberem product was able to fully enjoy his time in the limelight in the Netherlands as he showed reaching half a century has not slowed him down one bit.

"This is a great feeling,” he said after his Dutch success.

“I missed out to Josh Rock last year and I’ve gone one better this year. I’ve also had a Pro Tour win in Rosmalen, so this may be my new lucky home.

“What a player Niko is. He’s got such a big future. He’s a great lad with a great attitude, and he shows it on that dartboard.

“I came back somehow, and then I managed to get ahead and stay ahead. I’m so pleased to get over the line; it’s brilliant."

With just the European Darts Open and Nordic Darts Masters to be played before the World Cup begins in Germany, Clayton will head to the Eissporthalle with Wales partner Price in fine fettle having averaged just shy of 99 over the weekend en route to winning the Dutch Darts Championship - his third European Tour title.

Should Clayton be able to keep adding prize money to his ranking over the remainder of 2025, it will become increasingly difficult for the PDC to ignore selecting the man who lifted the Premier League title on debut in 2021 for next year's event.

Indeed, if he could go on to have a strong second half to the calendar year, he could even make himself an automatic choice for the tournament - providing that he can end the year in the top four, which is now within striking distance.

Clayton certainly won't be getting carried away with his success in Rosmalen, but the fact he can still produce mesmerising ton-plus averages combined with more gritty victories that include higher double success rates to lift yet another title prove he can still mix it with the best.