Stephen Bunting won the opening event of the new season by defeating Gerwyn Price in the Bahrain Darts Masters final.
The Bullet, who was beaten by Luke Littler in the semi-finals of the World Championship earlier this month, had earlier thrashed Chris Dobey 6-0 with an average of 113 before edging out Luke Humphries 6-5 in a thrilling semi-final.
Bunting produced another sublime performance against Price to run out an 8-4 winner with an average of 99.33 to claim his maiden World Series title and send out a warning to his rivals ahead of his Masters defence later this month and the Premier League Darts campaign.
Stephen Bunting holding back the tears after winning the Bahrain Darts Masters.
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) January 17, 2025
Great interview with Gerwyn Price too about being "back" and his "controversial" Premier League selection pic.twitter.com/vDMWOeBLYp
“What a lovely trophy this is,” said Bunting. “Coming off the back of making the semi-finals at the World Championship, I came here full of confidence.
“I am playing the best I have ever played. I’m more consistent than ever before and now I’m believing I can win titles.
“The hypnotherapy behind the scenes, the psychology in the past, it’s taken a lot of hard work.
🎶 𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 🎶
— ITV Sport (@ITVSport) January 17, 2025
Stephen Bunting wins the Bahrain Masters 🏆 pic.twitter.com/uZ29QJah6h
“I can’t produce my best darts without these wonderful crowds. Wherever we play – whether it be Bahrain, Germany, the Netherlands or back home in the UK, the fanbase that I’m building at the moment is crazy.
“From feeling down in the dumps to becoming the world number five is an incredible feeling, and hopefully the only way is up!”
"STOP WHISTLING"
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) January 17, 2025
Huw Ware with a death stare after giving the Bahrain Darts Masters crowd a telling off during Stephen Bunting's win over Gerwyn Price 🤣pic.twitter.com/zuF1KlyTKr
Price silenced the critics who claimed he didn't deserve a Premier League spot by thrashing Luke Littler 6-2 with an average of 115 and almost hit a nine-dart finish.
Love the reaction from Gerwyn Price after losing this leg immediately after missing double 12 for a nine-darter.
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) January 17, 2025
Then he bounces back to beat Luke Littler 6-2 with an average of 115 and seven 180s!pic.twitter.com/glJPWp7vx3
The Iceman saw off Peter Wright in the semi-finals but was unable to produce his best against a rampant Bunting in the final.
Price said: "I'm getting back to my best! Apparently me and Nathan Aspinall weren't supposed to be in the Premier League but we were the best two players this week apart from Stephen Bunting.
"Everyone has a blip and people can write us off but I'll come back fighting stronger than ever, I know the talent I've got and I'll always improve."
Bahrain Darts Masters: Tournament results
Round One
- Paolo Nebrida 6-3 Rob Cross
- Gerwyn Price 6-3 Lok Yin Lee
- Stephen Bunting 6-2 Nitin Kumar
- Chris Dobey 6-0 Basem Mahmood
- Luke Humphries 6-0 Abdulla Saeed
- Luke Littler 6-3 Lourence Ilagan
- Peter Wright 6-3 Alexis Toylo
- Nathan Aspinall 6-2 Xiaochen Zong
Quarter-Finals
- Luke Humphries 6-5 Nathan Aspinall
- Stephen Bunting 6-0 Chris Dobey
- Gerwyn Price 6-2 Luke Littler
- Peter Wright 6-4 Paolo Nebrida
Semi-Finals
- Stephen Bunting 7-6 Luke Humphries
- Gerwyn Price 7-4 Peter Wright
Final
- Stephen Bunting 8-4 Gerwyn Price
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