Stephen Bunting reigns in Basel to claim Swiss Darts Trophy title

Stephen Bunting secured his second European Tour title of the year at the Swiss Darts Trophy following a 8-3 victory over Luke Woodhouse in the final on Sunday.

Bunting claimed his sixth title of the season in Basel with a dominant display against first-time finalist Woodhouse in game which saw ‘The Bullet’ average 104.

After missing six darts at doubles in the opening leg, Bunting never looked back and raced into a 3-1 lead before Woodhouse stopped the rot with a hold of throw on double nine.

However, Woodhouse could not live with the world number four, who responded immediately with an 11-darter en route to a comfortable victory at St. Jakobshalle.

“There’s a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes,” said Bunting, who registered a ton-plus average in all four of his matches on Sunday.

“I’m playing the best darts of my life. I feel consistently that I’m delivering. I’m so happy with this win, it means a lot.

“Luke’s had a fantastic week, there’s no better time to be playing your best darts. This will give him a lot of confidence going into future tournaments.”

Bunting kicked off Sunday with a 6-3 victory over Krzysztof Ratajski in the Last 16, before brushing aside Dutch icon Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 in the quarter-finals.

The former Masters champion then edged a thriller with Gian van Veen in the semi-finals, surviving a match dart to break in the deciding leg after the Dutchman had fought back from 4-0 down.

“I’m number four in the world. The rankings are over a few years so it shows how consistent I’ve been, but you can’t take anything for granted in this game,” Bunting continued.

“There’s so many good players in this world and to be in the top four in the world is an unbelievable achievement.

“I can’t take my foot off the gas, I need to keep on the practice board and keep improving. Hopefully there’s a big tournament coming soon.”

Woodhouse reached only his second PDC final after a stand-out display of doubling across the final day.

After dispatching a wasteful Jermaine Wattimena, the 36-year-old profited from a missed match dart from last year’s finalist Ryan Searle in edging through to the semi-finals.

He then ended Cor Dekker’s best-ever European Tour run, converted 70 per cent of his darts at the outer ring en route to a 7-3 success over the Norwegian.

“He scored so heavily and proved why he’s where he is in the world,” said Woodhouse.

“He kept me under the cosh from the start and I just could not get close to him.

“It’s all positive for me now. Just getting to a final is a massive achievement and I’d have taken it at the start of the weekend.

“I’m hoping now this can be the start of something I can really push on to and take this into the ProTours and into the rest of the year.

“I’m more than capable of playing against any player. I’ve beaten all the top players. Hopefully this year, a first title comes.”

Dekker’s landmark run came after edging out Chris Dobey and Jonny Clayton in last-leg deciders, which included a 127 match-winning checkout against Dobey – in spite of a 107 average from the Premier League star.

Van Veen’s route to the semi-finals saw him see off Ryan Joyce and Rob Cross in what was a first European Tour quarter-final of the year for the 2018 World Champion.

Earlier in the day, world number one Luke Humphries went down 6-4 to Searle, while Martin Schindler’s title defence was ended by a clinical Clayton, despite a ton-plus average from the German number one.

Van Barneveld whitewashed a struggling Ritchie Edhouse in the Last 16 to confirm his place in the World Grand Prix at the expense of Dave Chisnall, with Edhouse now unable to qualify for and defend his European Championship title.

Swiss Darts Trophy 2025 Day Three Results

Sunday September 28

Afternoon Session

Last 16
Luke Humphries 4-6 Ryan Searle
Jermaine Wattimena 2-6 Luke Woodhouse
Jonny Clayton 6-3 Martin Schindler
Chris Dobey 5-6 Cor Dekker
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Krzysztof Ratajski
Raymond van Barneveld 6-0 Ritchie Edhouse
Ryan Joyce 2-6 Gian van Veen
Rob Cross 6-5 Danny Noppert

Evening Session

Quarter-Finals
Ryan Searle 5-6 Luke Woodhouse
Jonny Clayton 5-6 Cor Dekker
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Raymond van Barneveld
Gian van Veen 6-2 Rob Cross

Semi-Finals
Luke Woodhouse 7-3 Cor Dekker
Stephen Bunting 7-6 Gian van Veen

Final
Stephen Bunting 8-3 Luke Woodhouse