The Dutch Darts Championship earlier this year saw the rise of the Northern Irish star who claimed glory in style. This victory came after his initial success on the PDC ProTour with a Players Championship win in October 2022.
The three days of Players Championship action at the Marshall Arena culminated in another impressive victory for the talented player, as he edged out Cullen in a tight contest to scoop up a £15,000 title.
The final was a tense affair, with both players sharing the first four legs. However, Rock took control with a 5-2 lead after just 43 darts, only for Cullen to fight back and narrow the gap to one with double four finishes.
It was a back-and-forth battle as Rock extended his lead, only for Cullen to level at six-all. But it was the former World Youth Champion who shone bright, hitting a huge 170 finish to take a 7-6 lead before securing victory with a double eight.
Reflecting on his win, Rock humbly said, “I knew [the 170] had to go and it went, thankfully!” He is now 17th on the PDC Order of Merit, just £2,000 behind Danny Noppert.
Looking ahead, Rock expressed his ambition to climb higher in the rankings, aiming for a top 16 spot and even a top ten position. He cited his recent success as evidence of his potential, stating, “I believe I’m good enough because obviously I can beat the best players. I know if I believe in myself – which I do – I’ll get into the top two in the world.”
Rock’s journey to the final was marked by impressive performances, including ton-plus averages in wins over Aden Kirk and Ross Smith. He also overcame Owen Roelofs, Scott Williams, and Niels Zonneveld before a nail-biting quarter-final against Cameron Menzies.
Overall, the Northern Irish star’s recent success has solidified his position as a rising talent in the world of darts, and his determination to continue climbing the rankings is evident in his impressive performances on the circuit.
