Stephen Bunting has issued a defiant statement of intent after ending his early-season struggles with a crucial victory on Night Four of the 2026 Premier League Darts. The world number 6, who endured a miserable start with three consecutive defeats this year and didn't win a match until Night Eight last season, found his best form in Belfast to claim the night's title. Bunting unleashed a series of high-quality performances, posting a 106 average in both his quarterfinal and semifinal before convincingly beating Dutchman Gian van Veen 6-2 in the final, banking five points and climbing straight up to fifth in the table.
The Liverpool thrower, reflecting on the win ahead of Night Five in Cardiff, said he learned from last year's slow start. "I learnt a lot from last year," Bunting stated. "It took me a long while to get that first win, and I'm happy I've got that monkey off my back now." The 40-year-old remains fully confident he can finish in the top four and book a place at Finals Night, adding, "I still believe I'm one of the best players in the world and deserve to be in this Premier League; that win in Belfast goes a long way to say why I should be here."
Bunting described the Belfast triumph as ranking among the best wins of his career, noting, "This has to rank up there with one of the best wins of my career. I was a bit emotional early on after my first game, but I held it together." He now aims to carry that momentum into Cardiff this Thursday evening, where he will face Gerwyn Price in his quarterfinal, with Price performing in front of his home crowd in Wales.
