Wright Chasing Further Honours

Peter Wright - Coral UK Open (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

PETER WRIGHT is aiming to add further honours to his collection after finally claiming a big TV title at the Coral UK Open on Sunday.

Wright took home the £70,000 title following a memorable weekend at the Butlins Minehead Resort, where he defeated Price 11-6 in the final to pick up a £70,000 top prize.

Having lost to Michael van Gerwen for the previous two years in the UK Open final, Wright made the most of the Dutchman's absence with a back injury with a series of brilliant displays throughout the weekend.

Wright had previously lost eight times in televised finals, including at the 2014 World Championship and in back-to-back deciders at the World Series of Darts Finals - but has revealed that he cleared his practice room of the memories of those defeats in a bid to inspire his bid for glory in 2017.

"It feels amazing," said Wright. "At the beginning of this year I cleared my room out of runner-up trophies.

"I said to Michael at the beginning of the year that I've cleared my room out of runner-up trophies and I'm going to fill it with winner ones, and I'm after you.

"I hope he gets well very soon and he can produce the darts that he can, and hopefully I can frighten him."

Wright overcame Gerwyn Price in Sunday's final and also knocked out James Richardson, Dave Chisnall, Rob Cross and Daryl Gurney - but highlights his stunning 10-8 quarter-final win over Raymond van Barneveld as the highlight.

"The most enjoyable game I've ever had playing darts was against Raymond," he added. "He was hitting me with everthing, but it was one of the best matches I've ever played in my life.

"For TV darts, the quarter-finals was probably the best TV darts you could ask for. It goes to show you the standard of darts that we have got without Michael and without Phil [Taylor], the standard was brilliant."

Wright shed tears on stage as he collected the UK Open trophy, and is now setting his sights on further glory when the Betway Premier League resumes on Thursday with a clash against James Wade in Glasgow.

"I tried to hold in, but I won't cry when I win my next one - when I win the Premier League I won't be crying!" he smiled.

"I've got a fantastic following and they're getting better and better. I appreciate all my fans, and my sponsors as well."

Peter Wright Video Interview


Betway Premier League
Night Six - Thursday March 9
The SSE Hydro, Glasgow

Adrian Lewis v Phil Taylor
James Wade v Peter Wright
Kim Huybrechts v Michael van Gerwen
Jelle Klaasen v Raymond van Barneveld
Dave Chisnall v Gary Anderson
Tickets: 0844 395 4000 or via www.thessehydro.com