Jonny Clayton’s record in the Premier League is a formidable one.
The Welshman won the title on his debut in 2021 and reached the final night in all three exhibition matches.
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But the Welshman has been overlooked in the past two editions and feels the need to prove a point when he returns in 2026.
“I’ve complained enough about not being a part of it, so I’m coming back with a smile on my face and I have some evidence that I should be a part of it,” he said.
“If you walk the talk, you have to walk the walk. I’ve said I should be involved, now I need to prove why I should be involved.
“I’m looking forward to this. I’m really ready for it.”
Few will feel more omitted than Clayton, with the 2022 and 2023 semi-finalist giving the impression as early as the first game in Newcastle that no one was optimistic about his chances.
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Clayton was the eighth and final player to address reporters at the Premier League media day and joked that tournament organizers did not expect him to taste further success after the trophy did not appear on the table where he was being interviewed, like the other seven entrants.
The 51-year-old is also the bookies’ heavy outsider to win the event this year, although that just adds fuel to the fire for “The Ferret.”
“It motivates me because people don’t rate me, obviously they rate other people more. Let’s see on final night,” he said.
Night one opponent Josh Locke jokingly called Clayton an “old boy” and said he hoped the Pontybelen product would be “rusty”.
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But Clayton hopes his experience will come into play against rookie Rock.
“To be fair, he’s a good lad, he’s fun, he’s confident and he’s a good player,” Clayton added.
“He’s bouncing, he’s ready. But I’ve been through that before, so hopefully a little experience can help me get through it.”
Clayton ‘injured’ in 2025
The likes of Danny Noppert, James Wade and Nathan Aspinall were all frustrated at being left out of this year’s event – a heartbreaking disappointment that Clayton himself will have felt in 2024 and 2025.
This perhaps goes some way to explaining why the former Grand Prix, Masters, World Series and two-time World Cup of Darts champion is keen to seize the opportunity to once again impress with his hands on the grandest stage.
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“I’m not going to lie, I thought I had a good chance to be a part of it last year. I was obviously disappointed, but I wasn’t,” Clayton said.
“The year before, I had no complaints, but last year I was a little bit injured and I wanted to get back to it.
“I love this game. It’s my favorite game and I want to get back in it. I’m back and now I have a point to prove.”
Speaking about his plans that teased the possibility, Clayton concluded: “I’m going to [to finals night]. I’m going to play there, I don’t have to look. “
