Gerwyn Price overcame Daryl Gurney 10-7 in Round 1 of the World Matchplay Darts, but it was their heated exchanges and spicy encounter that made the headlines more than the match itself.
‘The Iceman’ got revenge on Gurney following Northern Ireland’s World Cup of Darts victory over Wales last month, with overzealous celebrations on the Winter Gardens stage.
Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney Clash In World Matchplay Darts
Round 1 of the World Matchplay Darts has already produced some magic and shocks, with Luke Littler and Josh Rock excelling, whilst world number one Luke Humphries has already crashed out.
There have been plenty of talking points so far from the Winter Gardens, none more so than the clash between Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney on Monday night.
‘The Iceman’, who is back in the top 10 of the PDC Order of Merit, got the better of Gurney, defeating the Northern Irishman 10-7 to book his place in the second round of the tournament. However, it isn’t the scoreline or the match itself that has made headlines.
Both Price and Gurney had been going back and forth the entire game, with neither showing real emotion. That was until the last leg, when the Welshman checked out 81 in two darts on double 12 before letting rip one of his synonymous roars.
The former world champion flexed his muscles and continued to roar in celebration, which seemed to get under the skin of ‘Superchin’. As the pair shook hands moments later, it was clear that tempers were flaring.
It’s fair to suggest that the handshake was more on the firm side, with Price continuing to glare at Gurney as he celebrated even further. Words were exchanged during the handshake, and it didn’t sound friendly whatsoever.
Pre-match, UK betting sites had Price as a favourite, which proved to be correct as the Welshman booked his place in Round 2 of the 2025 World Matchplay Darts.
TEMPERS FLARE! 😤
Some serious spice at the end of that one between Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney! 🌶️
Price comes through a real battle to go through to the second round! 🏴
📺 https://t.co/ZboV9dF4Ji#MatchplayDarts | R1 pic.twitter.com/c7sekFhkJx
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 21, 2025
Price and Gurney Have Heated Exchange As Tempers Flare In Spicy Encounter
Following his 10-7 victory over Daryl Gurney at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, Gerwyn Price, who boasts a £2.5m net worth, certainly wasn’t shy with his celebrations.
In the aftermath of the match, ‘The Iceman’ refused to answer any questions on the heated exchange, instead only answering questions about the match itself and his performance.
Former darts player turned Sky Sports commentator Mark Webster believes that Price’s reaction was his way of getting back at Gurney for mimicking him after winning the nineth leg of the match.
“Gerwyn Price was taking liberty to Daryl Gurney’s mimicking of him. They’re feisty characters aren’t they? It’ll get sorted, I’m sure of it. It was just a feisty handshake,” Webster said after the thrilling World Matchplay encounter.
We've reached boiling point in Blackpool! 🌡️#MatchplayDarts pic.twitter.com/aSvZ5deW0c
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 21, 2025
In his post-match interview, Price revealed that he has learnt to keep his emotions in check during a match, instead leaving the celebrations and bravado for after the game:
“I think possibly that’s what got me over the winning line is just trying to keep everything intact and then let it go at the end. I’ve learnt to keep my emotions intact and I think I did today,” concluded ‘The Iceman’.
Price will take on Englishman Chris Dobey in Round 2 of the 2025 World Matchplay Darts on Thursday at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
The Welshman will once again be favourite, as he aims to claim his first World Matchplay crown and the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy.
