Stephen Bunting might have banked £15,000 from his Players Championship 25 win this week, but he hasn’t celebrated by spending lavishly. The Scouse star was at his best to beat Jonny Clayton 8-6 in Tuesday’s final to claim his sixth PDC ranking title.
Bunting, 40, nailed six maximum 180 scores and notched a three-dart average of 101.74 at Arena MK. It helped add to his International Darts Open win on the European Tour this year, as well as victories in the Bahrain and Nordic Darts Masters. However, it doesn’t seem the world No.4 is getting carried away by his success.
He revealed afterwards that he would be celebrating by treating himself to an Indian takeaway meal. Asked if he was being serious about his intentions, he said: “One million per cent.”
The 40-year-old also lauded his form and his response to Monday’s Players Championship 25 final loss to Jeffrey de Graaf. ‘The Bullet’ also believes he can improve further this year, adding: “I know how well I am playing.
“Long may that continue. I will keep working hard. I have played exceptionally this week and was disappointed not to win on Monday. To do two finals and to get one over the line, I am really happy with that.”
There are 34 Players Championship events in 2025, with the finals held in Minehead from November 21 to 23. Talking up his chances of overall victory, Bunting said: “We are coming into the nitty-gritty part of the season and I’m getting some wins against some top-class players.”
Bunting acknowledged he will need to keep working hard or “will get left behind.” But he’s on course to be among the favourites at the Alexandra Palace again when the PDC World Championships get underway in December.
He reached the semi-final stage last time around, before losing to eventual champion Luke Littler. That equalled his best showing at the tournament, having reached the same stage in 2021.
