Nothing was going to stop Gerwyn Price from winning the Poland Masters.
The Welshman not only had to overcome Stephen Bunting in the final to claim victory, he also had to do so with an entirely fresh set of darts after the ones he intended to use got lost in transit.
Speaking after his thrilling 8-7 triumph over Bunting in Gliwice, Poland, Price believed taking out the tournament despite the luggage ordeal demonstrated his ‘great character’.
“I’m quite chuffed that I won considering the circumstances,” Price said.
“I lost my case, lost my darts, had a brand new set of darts. I felt the points were too long so I was filing them down for two days.
“So to be mentally strong and come through games I wasn’t 100 per cent confident, it shows I’ve got great character and strength and depth.
“I’ll probably keep these darts now and finish with them the rest of the year. It gives me confidence leading into the World Matchplay.”
Price’s victory in Poland was his first World Series title in 2025.
It was also the second time Price and Bunting had met in a World Series final this year, with ‘The Bullet’ getting the better of the Welshman at the Bahrain Masters in January.
But there was to be no denying Price of his first World Series title since the 2024 Australian Masters last August.
He recorded an impressive 103.12 average, his second-highest figure of the tournament, against Bunting’s 97.95.
Although certain parts of his performance left Price ‘frustrated’, victory was ultimately all that mattered.
“It’s nice to get back on the winning stage and getting trophies again, but I felt like I was a bit frustrated all the way through that game,” Price said.
“Trying too hard to get a leg in front and trying to break him, but at the end, I’ve done it. I missed a couple of match darts where I was probably 7-6 up where I could’ve lost it, but double-double finish.”
Price added: “I missed loads of doubles and kept Stephen in the game. But I played really well against Rob (Cross), I was a bit frustrated with myself in the final but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
“I played really well against Chris (Dobey), Rob. Got frustrated but I won and that’s all that matters.
“Otherwise I’d beat myself up for a couple of days.”
With the Poland Masters trophy and a tidy £30,000 in prize money secured, Price’s attention will soon turn towards the World Matchplay.
One of the biggest tournaments on the darts calendar, the world’s top 32 will head to Blackpool and duke it out for a total of £800,000 in prize money, with the winner to receive £200,000.
The World Matchplay is one of five PDC ranked televised events Price is yet to win.
His best finish in Blackpool was a berth in the final of the 2022 edition of the tournament, where he was beaten 18-14 by Michael van Gerwen.
Price will no doubt hope to go one better when the action kicks off on July 19.
