Stephen Bunting is hoping that his return to Premier League action in his home city of Liverpool will be a happier occasion than his 2015 appearance against the legendary Phil Taylor.
‘The Bullet’ told Online Darts that he had learned some tough lessons from that occasion as well as from other players putting too much pressure on themselves in this years PDC Premier League
“I remember the night, the result didn’t, go my way. In fact I got absolutely hammered”
” I need to be on the best of my game, regardless…and just try to keep the emotions in check.
” The first four weeks of the Premier League, I think everyone could see how emotional I was on the Walk-On…But there is no wriggle room, no room for missing doubles”
Despite that tough start, and scant reward for some other good performances, the Merseyside native does not feel he is in an all or nothing situation in this year’s event:
“No definitely not, I took all the pressure off myself a few weeks ago… the performances I have had over this season, I think I have played a really good Premier League to be honest although points don’t show that, but I think performances do.”
Catch the full interview:
The 40-year-old has had a superb 18 months in the PDC including his first televised title in the organisation, another World Championship semi final and a first European Tour crown.
He is not finished yet though and already has his sights set on a return to the BetMGM sponsored showcase event next year:
” My aim is to make sure I am 100% going into next year, I wanna get picked for that, I am world number 4 at the moment. This is getting me used to the format and playing in front of the 10s of thousands that we play in front of and I am just really enjoying it to be fair.”
The Bullet, who has his own passionate following with darts fans, had a few words of wisdom for teenage sensation Luke Littler after the teenager posted of his annoyance with German fans after a recent visit:
“I think it’s a dangerous path that you could go down and obviously you don’t want to get the fans hating you. He’s put a few posts on socials about not going back to Germany but if he doesn’t go back to Germany that means I’m in the World Cup doesn’t it”
The Scouser has ticked many career boxes in recent times, perhaps even representing England by the more normal route isn’t beyond him?
Stephen’s highly-anticipated return to Liverpool on Night 12 of the BetMGM Premier League on Thursday, the local boy will be the star attraction as he takes on Rob Cross in his quarter-final clash at the M&S Bank Arena.
With his beloved Liverpool Football Club on the cusp of Premier League glory, it could be a memorable few days on Merseyside.
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC
