Jonny Clayton beats Gerwyn Price to win Austrian Darts Open
Monday 23 April 2018 11:04, UK
Jonny Clayton secured a memorable first PDC European Tour title, beating fellow Welshman Gerwyn Price 8-5 in Sunday's final of the Austrian Darts Open in Graz.
After Michael van Gerwen claimed the first two European Tour events of the season, Clayton followed last week's winner Max Hopp in adding another new name to the growing list of winners of the circuit.
With Van Gerwen withdrawing and Peter Wright's early exit from the event, Clayton was the man to take full advantage, having moved into a seeded spot following MvG's absence.
Clayton beat Hopp into the second round and followed up with impressive wins over James Wade and Ian White to reach a semi-final with home favourite Mensur Suljovic.
Clayton silenced the crowd in a last-leg decider at the Steiermarkhalle to reach his showdown with Price, who had beaten Scott Taylor, Wayne Jones, world champion Rob Cross and Joe Cullen on the way to the final.
Live Premier League Darts
Legs of 13 and 14 darts from Price gave him an early 2-1 lead, only for Clayton to respond in kind to regain the advantage.
With little between the pair it was Price who kept he nose in front until Clayton made his move, taking out 120 to break the Iceman and level at 5-5 before moving in front with what proved to be a crucial hold.
Clayton punished a pair of missed darts at double top from Price and then broke again with a brilliant 11-dart leg to stand one leg away from the title.
And the 2017 Players Championship runner-up added to his first PDC tournament win in October 2017 with a 14-dart leg securing his impressive weekend's work and the £25,000 winners cheque.
"It's my first [European Tour] title and I'm chuffed to bits," said Clayton.
"It's been a great weekend for me, a brilliant crowd - I had to play against them all against Mensur but I got through it.
"It's nice to see Welsh darts back on stage. There are some brilliant players and we're all there to do a job."
Clayton has now moved into pole position to partner his vanquished opponent at the World Cup in Frankfurt next month, while a place at the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and European Championship are all within striking distance.
The 2018 Premier League continues on Thursday as we head to the Manchester Arena for Week 13. Coverage gets under way from 7pm on Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Main Event. Two weeks of tungsten action will then continue in Birmingham, and Aberdeen through to the season's conclusion with the Play-Offs on May 17 at The O2 in London.
Keep up to date with the latest darts news, previews, reports, reaction and expert analysis. Get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts- don't forget to use #LoveTheDarts
