Joe Cullen has issued a bold vow to climb back up the PDC Order of Merit after a reflective weekend at the Poland Darts Open in Krakow. Despite his campaign ending with a last-leg defeat to Michael Smith in the second round on Saturday night, Cullen's most striking comments came after his opening 6-2 win over Krzysztof Kciuk on Friday, where he bluntly admitted, "I am sick of being where I am. I'm better than a lot of players above me." He added that the rankings suggest otherwise, so only he can put that right.
Cullen acknowledged complacency in 2025, stating that after an encouraging start—including reaching the final of the first ProTour and winning one—he thought he could "sit back a little bit," which cost him momentum and consistency. For 2026, he emphasized renewed effort, saying, "I've started putting effort in this year. Last year, I wasn't good enough. Ultimately, in this game, you get out what you give in. This year, I thought to myself, put some work in." He noted feeling comfortable now after putting in the work.
His 6-2 victory over Kciuk showcased signs of that application, with Cullen averaging 99.85, hitting four 180s, and converting 50% of his doubles. Key moments included an 88 checkout for a break of throw, an 86 finish to extend control, a 100 checkout to go 5-2 ahead, and a double 16 to wrap up the win. Cullen also highlighted a mental shift, saying that last year in front of a partisan crowd in someone's home country, he would have folded, but this time he believed his quality would show through.
In the second round, Cullen pushed Michael Smith to a deciding leg before falling short, ending his Poland campaign earlier than desired. However, his comments indicate a bigger reset is underway, as he questions whether he has consistently matched his ability with necessary work. If his words hold true, 2026 is about removing that doubt and climbing back toward where he believes he belongs.
