Clinical Jonny Clayton is eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table with the Welsh No 1 aiming to make it a hat-trick of nightly wins in Dublin this Thursday – but why is ‘The Ferret’ showing such good form in the competition?
Clayton has started the league phase in rampant fashion following his return to the competition, and he continued his dream start to the campaign with victory in Glasgow and then overcame gout in his ankle to win in Nottingham.
The Welsh ace defeated Michael van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting and Luke Humphries to claim the £10,000 nightly prize, dispatching defending champion Humphries 6-1 in the Night Six showpiece.
Clayton’s form has remained strong outside of the Premier League, including a run to the quarter-finals at the UK Open where he was denied by his World Cup partner Gerwyn Price.
The 51-year-old, who won the 2021 title on debut, said: “I didn’t expect to be on top of the league after Night Six – I was expecting to have eight points in total!
“I know what it’s about, getting the points in early. It’s not a bad start, and hopefully it can carry on.
“It’s my favourite tournament, I love it. Hopefully I’m proving why I should be in it, and my darts are doing the talking.”
The world No 5 recognises that this year’s competition is exceptionally strong with world No 1 Luke Littler and defending champion Humphries in the mix.
“I think it’s the most competitive Premier League I’ve been in,” confessed Clayton. “It’s a good thing – we are all taking points off each other, it makes it more exciting.
“Making the quarter-finals of the UK Open, I’m doing something right. I’m in the latter stages of competitions, and that’s where I want to be.
“Although I’m league leader, I’ve still got to attack – at the end of the day, you’ve got to get as many points as you possibly can.”
Experienced Clayton aims for two points every week
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Clayton won Night Three of with a huge 156 checkout to topple Gian van Veen
Clayton has set a target of two points a week, which would almost certainly guarantee his spot in Finals Night at London’s O2.
“I’ve been here before, got a little experience and I know what it’s all about. That obviously helps,” he said.
“If I can pick up two points every week, I will stay at the top of that leaderboard. That’s my aim.
“It would mean everything to win the title again. I always say the Premier League is my favourite tournament.
“You play against the best week in, week out. To lift the trophy, ahead of those other players, would be fantastic. The only other trophy that would beat it is the World Championship.
“I’ve lifted this trophy and I enjoy every second of competing in the Premier League, so hopefully it’s going to be one of my tournaments.
“Winning that trophy for a second time would be a great achievement.”
Change of darts equipment
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Speaking on Love The Darts, Michael Bridge and Chris Murphy discuss Clayton’s play-off chances in the 2026 Premier League
Clayton, who has a unique style of throwing flat darts that stack on top, has changed his darts from phase one for grip with ‘The Ferret’ now using 22g Hiraeth dart from Red Dragon.
“As a professional darts player, I’m trying to perfect my game. I’ve come to like these darts. I’m playing well with them,” he said.
“Until I think I need to try and change something else, I’m really happy with them.”
What’s happening on Premier League Night Seven in Dublin?
Michael van Gerwen takes on Gian van Veen in the battle of the Dutch giants
Night Seven of the darting roadshow will take place at Dublin’s 3Arena, as Dutch duo Van Veen and Van Gerwen collide in the evening’s opener.
Bunting takes on Littler, Rock goes up against Price for the first time in this year’s Premier League, while table-topper Clayton meets reigning champion Humphries in a repeat of Thursday’s final.
Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will be defending his title and you can watch the action every single Thursday until May on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.
