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Tearful Josh Rock captures maiden European Tour title at the Dutch Darts Championship

Jamie Shaw in European Tour 26 May 2024

Josh Rock is the defending champion (Photo by Jonas Hunold/PDC Europe)

Josh Rock claimed his first European Tour title at the 2024 Dutch Darts Championship with an 8-4 defeat of Jonny Clayton in the final in Rosmalen.

Former World Youth Champion Rock returned to winning ways as he denied Clayton to clinch the £30,000 top prize at the Autotron.

The Northern Irishman lost out to Clayton in his only previous European Tour final – the Austrian Open in April 2023 – but he avenged that defeat in style to move up to a career-high of 18th on the PDC Order of Merit.

Rock kicked off his campaign with a 104 average in his Second Round victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode, before recovering from 5-3 down to deny in-form Cameron Menzies in the Last 16.

The 23-year-old produced crucial checkouts of 119 and 145 in a 6-3 quarter-final success against Gerwyn Price, and he booked his place in Sunday’s showpiece by reeling off six straight legs from 3-1 down to see off Martin Schindler 7-3.

Rock, who will make his debut at next month’s World Cup of Darts, capped off a memorable weekend with a battling victory over Clayton to become the sixth different winner in seven European Tour events in 2024.

“This is the biggest win of my career, 100 per cent,” admitted Rock.

“I haven’t had very good luck against Jonny in finals. He beat me on the ProTour and in Graz [in 2023], but I felt really confident coming into this final.

“I said this weekend I was here to win the tournament. Jonny is one of the nicest men in darts. I love him to bits, but my name is on the trophy, and I’m so happy.

“I’ve lost in so many finals, but I keep believing that I will win, and obviously today I proved that I can.

“I’ve always said my next one was going to be a major title and that’s my main focus, but I have proved that I can win on the big stage now.”

Rock crashed in a magnificent 142 checkout to steal an early march in a final that was dominated by breaks of throw in the early stages.

Clayton hit back with a trio of 14-darters in the space of four legs to level at 4-4, although the Welshman paid the price for missed opportunities in the latter stages, as Rock won the next four legs without reply to triumph.

“I had chances to stay in the game, but I missed doubles and Josh didn’t. Josh played well,” conceded Clayton, featuring in his first PDC ranking final since the World Matchplay last July.

“Josh has proven that he can do this week in week out. He’s a great guy and a great player.

“I’m glad to be back in a final again. I’m glad to have a smile back on my face, and I’m on the right track now.”

Clayton completed an impressive 6-3 win over defending champion Dave Chisnall in the Last 16, punishing a staggering 15 missed darts at doubles from the number one seed.

The former Premier League champion then swept aside a belowpar Ryan Searle 6-2 in the quarter-finals, before recovering from 4-0 and 6-4 down to stun home favourite Michael van Gerwen in a gripping last-leg decider.

Van Gerwen was denied a second title on home soil this year, despite dropping only two legs in reaching the semi-finals.

The three-time World Champion whitewashed his compatriot Kevin Doets in Saturday’s Second Round, before averaging 103 and 101 in crushing 6-1 victories over Chris Dobey and Danny Noppert on Sunday.

Schindler, International Open champion last month, overcame Brendan Dolan, Dimitri Van den Bergh and Luke Woodhouse in his run to the semi-finals, averaging 106 to deny Woodhouse in an epic quarter-final.

Price also produced ton-plus averages in wins over Mickey Mansell and Gian van Veen to reach the Last Eight, while Noppert defeated his fellow countryman Jermaine Wattimena to continue his consistency.

Searle breezed past Dutch-born Swede Jeffrey de Graaf in Sunday afternoon’s Last 16, before losing out in the quarter-finals for the fourth time in seven European Tour events.

Dutch Darts Championship 2024 Day Three Results

Sunday May 26

Afternoon Session

Last 16
Dave Chisnall 3-6 Jonny Clayton
Ryan Searle 6-1 Jeffrey de Graaf
Danny Noppert 6-5 Jermaine Wattimena
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Chris Dobey
Ritchie Edhouse 5-6 Luke Woodhouse
Dimitri Van den Bergh 4-6 Martin Schindler
Gerwyn Price 6-1 Gian van Veen
Josh Rock 6-5 Cameron Menzies

Evening Session

Quarter-Finals
Jonny Clayton 6-2 Ryan Searle
Danny Noppert 1-6 Michael van Gerwen
Luke Woodhouse 5-6 Martin Schindler
Gerwyn Price 3-6 Josh Rock

Semi-Finals
Jonny Clayton 7-6 Michael van Gerwen
Josh Rock 7-3 Martin Schindler

Final
Josh Rock 8-4 Jonny Clayton

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Tearful Josh Rock captures maiden European Tour title at the Dutch Darts Championship

Dutch Darts Championship 2024 Day Three Results

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