‘Gutted’ Gerwyn Price calls for darts rule change after losing World Grand Prix thriller to Luke Littler
‘Gutted’ Gerwyn Price Calls for Darts Rule Change After Losing World Grand Prix Thriller to Luke Littler
Gerwyn Price was left “gutted” and fuming after his 2025 World Grand Prix quarterfinal exit to Luke Littler, immediately calling for a controversial rule change to the double-in/double-out format that he believes “ruins the game” at crucial moments. The 40-year-old Welsh world No. 7, who had vowed pre-match to “put Littler under pressure” and boasted he was “not scared of anybody,” saw his mind games backfire spectacularly in a five-set epic (3-1, 2-3, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1) on October 10 at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena. Littler’s stunning 154 checkout in Set 5 and a comical ricochet miss by Price in the final leg sealed the £25,000 win for the 18-year-old, propelling him to the semifinals against Luke Humphries. Price’s post-match rant on X—sharing a meme captioned “Talk is cheap”—has sparked debate, but his rule-change plea highlights deeper frustrations with the tournament’s punishing mechanics.
The Thriller: Littler’s Comeback and Price’s Farce
The match was a rollercoaster of brilliance and blunders, living up to its billing as darts’ generational clash. Littler stormed the opener 3-1 with a 101.23 average and a 121 checkout on D18, but Price leveled at 1-1 with a 3-2 second set, reeling off five straight legs including a 140-finish. The Welshman forced a decider with a 3-1 fourth set (four 180s to Littler’s six), but Set 5 turned chaotic. Leading 2-1 in legs and needing 40 for the match, Price’s dart at D20 clipped the wire and ricocheted back into his hand—a “ridiculous” mishap that drew gasps and Littler’s uncontrollable laughter. “That dart coming back? I lost it—pure comedy,” Littler quipped to Sky Sports.
Capitalizing on the miss, Littler broke with a 100 checkout and sealed the match with a 121 on D18, posting 75% double-in success (12/16) to Price’s 60%. Littler’s 101.23 average and six 180s edged Price’s 99.87 and four, evening their head-to-head at 3-3. “Gerwyn’s a warrior, but I took my chances,” Littler said, calling the 154 in Set 5 (T20, T18, D20) his “best under pressure.” Price, gracious on camera, admitted: “Luke’s checkouts were unreal—that 154 killed me.”
Price’s Fury: “Gutted” and Calling for Rule Change
Price’s immediate X post—a smirking meme captioned “Talk is cheap”—drew 250k views and accusations of saltiness, but his deeper frustration surfaced in a GB News interview post-match. “Gutted doesn’t cover it—we need to change the double-out rule in deciders; it’s killing the drama,” Price ranted, targeting the format’s final-leg double requirement. “That ricochet? Ridiculous. One dart back, and it’s over—no second chance. The game’s about skill, not luck like that.” Price, the 2020 champion (5-1 over Chisnall), argued for a “single-out” finale in sets to “keep the tension,” echoing past calls from Raymond van Barneveld.
His comments, trending under #PriceRuleChange, divide fans: “Gerwyn’s right—the ricochet was farce,” vs. “Take the L—darts is darts.” PDC chairman Barry Hearn dismissed it as “sour grapes,” but Price’s influence—two majors, No. 7 Order of Merit—adds weight. Littler laughed it off: “Gerwyn’s always got opinions—love it. But the rules are the rules.”
The Bigger Debate: Double-Out Drama or Double Trouble?
Price’s plea reignites darts’ format wars. The double-out, standard since 1998, ensures precision but can lead to “anti-climaxes” like Price’s miss. Proponents like Phil Taylor defend it as “the great equalizer,” while critics like Price cite “unfair” wire bounces. The PDC has resisted changes, but with Littler’s rise drawing 9.2 million Worlds viewers, the conversation gains traction. Price, now 2-3 vs. Littler, exits with £15,000 but vows: “I’ll be back to change this game.”
Littler’s Momentum: Humphries Semifinal Awaits
Littler’s £25,000 payday lifts his PCOM to 48th (£61,500), easing Minehead risks post-ZXF split. Now, he faces Humphries in the semis—a rematch of their 2025 Worlds final (Littler 7-4). “Luke vs. Luke again? Bring it,” Humphries said. With a 101+ average across three matches, Littler’s untouchable on throw (10-0 legs held)—the Nuke’s firing on all cylinders.
| Player | Average | 180s | Key Checkout | Outcome |
|——–|———|——|————–|———|
| Luke Littler | 101.23 | 6 | 154 (T20, T18, D20) | Winner (3-2 sets) |
| Gerwyn Price | 99.87 | 4 | 140; D20 ricochet miss | Loser (2-3 sets) |
Price’s “gutted” call for change is a loser’s lament, but Littler’s stunning comeback proves the format’s thrill. The semis loom—darts’ firestorm continues.
