Jonny Clayton ends five-year European Tour title drought at the Austrian Darts Open
Jonny Clayton ended a five-year wait for a European Tour title by securing a second Austrian Open crown with an 8-6 victory over Josh Rock in the final.
Clayton returned to the winner’s circle in spectacular style in Graz, overcoming Rock in a high-quality contest to secure his first PDC ranking title since October 2021.
The Welshman had commenced his campaign with a deciding-leg victory over Jelle Klaasen on Saturday, before averaging 106 in his Last 16 clash against Damon Heta, sealing his progress with a magnificent 161 checkout.
Clayton continued his charge with a 6-3 win over Joe Cullen in the Quarter-Finals, before recovering from 6-3 down to deny Daryl Gurney in a dramatic Semi-Final – surviving two match darts in the penultimate leg.
The former Premier League champion capitalised on this reprieve to reclaim the Austrian Open title five years on from his victory over his World Cup partner Gerwyn Price at the same venue.
Rock drew first blood in Sunday’s showpiece with a 14-dart hold, but Clayton soon established control with a blistering four-leg burst, following up a 121 checkout in leg three with a 12-dart break in the fifth.
The Northern Irishman responded by winning three of the next four legs to cut the deficit to 4-5, and a clinical 102 combination in leg 11 saw him continue to apply the pressure.
However, the Welshman replied with a convincing hold to move to the cusp of victory at 7-5, before following up fifth 180 by pinning double 13 to prevail in a breathless contest.
“I think Graz is very kind to me. I love this place,” said Clayton, who averaged over 101 to scoop the £30,000 top prize and the coveted green jacket.
“The crowd have been fantastic. They’ve been behind me all tournament and now I’ve got another green jacket. What more can I ask for?
“There are no easy games. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be and obviously today was my day, so I’m going to appreciate this win.
“The support is unreal. I was a working man playing darts as a hobby. Now it’s my profession and with a crowd like this behind me, I can’t ask for anything more – it is absolutely fantastic.”
Rock, meanwhile, made history on his run to a maiden European Tour final, whitewashing reigning champion Michael van Gerwen to inflict the Dutchman’s first defeat at this event since 2016.
The 22-year-old converted 70 per cent of his attempts at double to condemn Van Gerwen to a second whitewash defeat of his Euro Tour career, following in the footsteps of Luke Humphries in Munich last year.
The World Youth Champion also ended the hopes of home favourite Mensur Suljovic in the quarter-finals, having come through a last-leg decider against his compatriot Mickey Mansell earlier in the day.
“Well done to Jonny. He was the better player and he deserved the win,” reflected Rock after reaching a second ranking final of 2023.
“Jonny took his chances when he had to, but I reached my first semi-final and final on the same night [on the European Tour], so I cannot complain. I’m happy.
“I was surprised that I whitewashed Michael. We have only played each other three times and that was my first time beating him and I beat him in style.
“I can’t take anything away from Jonny though. He was absolutely phenomenal, but I’m happy to get to the final, and thanks very much to the fans, they were fantastic.”
Van Gerwen was bidding to maintain his incredible unbeaten record at this venue, dispatching Simon Whitlock and Ryan Searle on Finals Day before his chastening defeat to Rock.
Gurney was the day’s other losing semi-finalist, following up Saturday’s win over top seed Luke Humphries with victories against UK Open champion Andrew Gilding and last year’s runner-up Danny Noppert.
Noppert defeated Premier League duo Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall in reaching the last eight, while Cullen and Searle posted ton-topping averages in wins over Dirk van Duijvenbode and Rob Cross on Sunday afternoon.
Elsewhere, Home hero Suljovic marked his big stage return with a memorable run to the Last Eight, defeating the world’s top two ranked players to appear in his first Quarter-Final of the season.
The Austrian ace recorded 6-2 wins over world number two Peter Wright and World Champion Michael Smith at the Steiermarkhalle, before succumbing to eventual finalist Rock.
Austrian Darts Open 2023 Day Three Results
Sunday April 23
Afternoon Session
Third Round
Daryl Gurney 6-4 Andrew Gilding
Nathan Aspinall 5-6 Danny Noppert
Damon Heta 4-6 Jonny Clayton
Dirk van Duijvenbode 2-6 Joe Cullen
Mickey Mansell 5-6 Josh Rock
Michael Smith 2-6 Mensur Suljovic
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Simon Whitlock
Rob Cross 3-6 Ryan Searle
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Daryl Gurney 6-1 Danny Noppert
Jonny Clayton 6-3 Joe Cullen
Josh Rock 6-4 Mensur Suljovic
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Ryan Searle
Semi-Finals
Daryl Gurney 6-7 Jonny Clayton
Josh Rock 7-0 Michael van Gerwen
Final
Jonny Clayton 8-6 Josh Rock
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