Jonny Clayton is a two-time World Cup of Darts winner
A pivotal career juncture for many darts players involves a crucial decision: maintaining a job or committing fully to the sport.
Jonny Clayton faced this very dilemma.
For years, the Welshman balanced competing against elite darts players with his work as a plasterer for Carmarthenshire County Council.
This unique work-life balance ultimately laid the groundwork for his remarkable ascent to the sport’s summit.
Entering this year’s Premier League of Darts as a wildcard, many expected the 51-year-old to finish last, let alone qualify for the finals at the O2 Arena on May 28.
However, with four nightly wins – including consecutive victories in recent weeks – Clayton leads the standings after 11 of the 16 pre-finals rounds.
Having previously won the event five years ago, BBC Sport examines his journey and assesses his chances of reclaiming the title.
Clayton frequently expressed concerns that dedicating himself solely to darts would create undue pressure.
“When you’re working, your mind is completely off darts, providing a balance where you think about work and then focus on darts when you play,” he stated in 2022.
His debut performance in the 2021 Premier League proved to be a significant catalyst for change.
It’s understandable why the former council worker holds the competition in high regard.
After winning the Masters in January 2021, his first individual televised Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) title, Clayton earned a spot in the Premier League.
He won the tournament in his debut, earning a career-best £250,000, before returning to his plastering job.
He subsequently won the World Grand Prix and World Series of Darts finals, capping off the most successful year of his career.
In 2022, Clayton topped the Premier League standings before losing to Joe Cullen in the final. However, his continued success ultimately justified his full-time switch to darts.
Underdog Clayton keen to prove Premier League point
Clayton beats Littler in Rotterdam to extend lead
In the official 2026 tournament program, Clayton was the only player in this year’s eight-man field to name the Premier League as his favorite part of the darting calendar.
“I love it. It’s 16 weeks of the best players in darts,” he said.
Clayton is now making his fourth Premier League appearance, his first since 2023.
The Welshman is on track to maintain his perfect record of reaching finals night in each of his appearances in the prestigious event.
His current 29 points, 17 match victories, four nightly wins, and 125 legs won are all the highest among this year’s Premier League players.
Importantly, his current points total, with five weeks remaining before finals night in London, should secure his place at the O2 next month.
Since the league format was restructured in 2022, players finishing fourth – the final qualifying position for finals night – have averaged 25 points at the end of the regular season.
The foundation has been rapidly laid. The focus will now shift to achieving a polished finish in May.
Jonny Clayton defeated Jose de Sousa 11-5 to win the 2021 Premier League final on his debut
Clayton was considered a significant underdog by bookmakers to win this year’s tournament and wasn’t even favored to reach finals night.
This perception clearly bothered the former plasterer.
Speaking at the Premier League media launch in early February, Clayton stated: “It motivates me because people underestimate me and rate others more highly. We’ll see what happens on finals night.”
A 6-4 victory against Luke Littler in the Rotterdam final marked Clayton’s first back-to-back night wins this season.
He now holds a 16-point lead over defending champion Luke Humphries, who is currently fifth, heading into night 12 in Liverpool on Thursday.
“He has secured his place at the O2 in London,” Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle said of Clayton after his Rotterdam victory.
“Jonny Clayton will be there, that is certain. He is well ahead of the competition.”
A week earlier, Clayton staged a remarkable comeback to win 6-5 against seven-time champion Michael van Gerwen in Brighton, after trailing 5-2 in the final.
Following his victory against reigning world champion Littler in Rotterdam, Clayton revealed that he re-watched his win against van Gerwen from the previous week.
“I don’t usually re-watch games, but I watched last week’s game against Michael, and it stung a bit when someone said I was the favorite to finish last. That really hurt,” he said.
“It’s going well for me, and I’m extremely happy.
“I’ve been here three times before, and I’ve reached finals night each time.”
At 51, Clayton is the oldest player in this year’s field, yet he consistently proves to be a formidable opponent for the game’s younger talents.
With the £350,000 Premier League winner’s prize within reach, Clayton can be confident that his long-awaited full-time transition to darts was fully justified, and then some.
Premier League Darts 2026 fixtures, results and table
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