‘Rather be in the house’ – Gerwyn Price admits personal struggles distracting him – he didn’t want to play as US Masters

Gerwyn Price has admitted that off-the-board distractions are taking a toll on his performances, revealing he has struggled to find the motivation to compete as his attention shifts toward life away from darts.

The world No. 7 opened up after grinding out a 6-4 victory over Brayden Hall to book his place in the quarter-finals of the US Darts Masters in New York.

Price recently purchased a large stretch of farmland in Wales, where he plans to settle with his wife, their two daughters, and a growing collection of animals. While excited about the long-term project, the former world champion acknowledged that managing it has left his focus divided.

“I don’t know what it was,” Price admitted. “To put it simply, I just couldn’t be bothered getting up there.

“I had a strange feeling. I’d rather have been at home, which is unusual for me.

“I never think about who I’m playing. I always focus on my own game, but for the last couple of months I haven’t been mentally there. I’ve just been going through the motions.”

Price explained that the ongoing work on his farm has become a major distraction.

“I need to get the farm finished. I’ve got things happening at home that are taking my attention away a little bit.

“Sometimes having something outside darts can be a good distraction, but right now I’ve got too much going on.

“When I’m away, all I want is to be back home making sure everything is happening with the farm and the planning that’s underway.

“So when I turn up at tournaments, I just can’t get myself motivated, and it shouldn’t be like that.”

With the World Matchplay fast approaching, Price knows he must quickly rediscover the mindset that helped him enjoy an impressive start to the season.

“I hope it changes, but the Matchplay is only three or four weeks away,” he said.

“The planning has only just gone in, and that’s been frustrating. I won’t go into too much detail, but my mind isn’t where it needs to be at the moment.

“At the start of the Premier League, I was completely focused. That’s where I need to get back to.

“I need to get my full focus back on darts.”

Price will now take on James Wade on Friday night at Madison Square Garden, with a place in the US Darts Masters semi-finals on the line.