5 things we learned from Peter Wright’s PDC World Championship triumph
Wright had lost his last six finals against Van Gerwen before Wednesday’s victory at Alexandra Palace.
Peter Wright claimed his maiden PDC World Championship title after beating defending champion Michael Van Gerwen in a 7-3 victory at Alexandra Palace.
It was a repeat of the 2014 final – which Van Gerwen won 7-4 for his first world crown – but the Scot came out on top, sparking emotional celebrations on the oche.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the major talking points from the last three weeks of darts action.
Sherrock becomes overnight sensation
BDO crisis
The British Darts Organisation has struggled to compete with their Professional Darts Corporation counterparts on all fronts in recent years after allowing their players to try and earn their card at the more luxurious PDC Q School. This has seen three-time BDO Champion Glen Durrant move across with a host of other leading players, but the BDO is also struggling financially. Ahead of the 2020 BDO World Championship, which begins on Saturday, it is reported that only 15 per cent of tickets have been sold, which as a result has seen prize money slashed. The venue change from Frimley Green to the Indigo O2 has not inspired fans and leading star Sherrock has withdrawn. The future looks bleak for the BDO.
Price is wrong in Wright semi-final showdown
Wright and former rugby league player Gerwyn Price went toe-to-toe in their semi-final on Monday evening during a pulsating match. The eventual champion was unimpressed with what he saw as over-exuberant celebrations from Price, and the pair did not shake hands at the end of the match. There had been some comments from Price ahead of the last-four clash which added extra needle to the contest, with Wright tapping the Welshman on the arm and exchanging words when he took the opening set. ‘The Iceman’ burst into wild celebrations after levelling the match at 1-1 but Wright prevailed to seal a place in the final after a 6-3 win. The pair have since apologised to each other and moved on from the incident.
Wright ends MVG final drought
Changing of the guard
