Darts icon Phil 'The Power' Taylor has delivered a blunt message to Daryl Gurney ahead of his high-profile World Darts Championship match against the phenomenal Beau Greaves: keep your cool and focus on the game.
Taylor's Stark Advice for Gurney
The 16-time world champion, speaking to The Sun, highlighted Gurney's known temperament as a potential weakness. Taylor believes the Northern Irish player, aged 39, must shut out the anticipated partisan Alexandra Palace crowd when he steps up to face the 21-year-old women's darts sensation. "Daryl Gurney doesn't like the crowd against him," Taylor stated. "He argues with them. He gives it to them back. It's the Irish in him. You know, he's a scrapper, is Daryl, and he will scrap away."
Taylor predicts the 'Ally Pally' faithful will quickly rally behind Greaves once she starts performing. His advice for Gurney was unequivocal: "If I was Daryl, I'd just ignore that she's a female player, and just get on with it. Just treat it as if you were playing me, Eric Bristow, Raymond van Barneveld, whoever. Just play the player in front of you, and forget about who she is."
Greaves' Stunning Form and Potential
The warning comes as Greaves prepares for her second-round match on Friday evening, boasting a staggering record. She has dominated the women's circuit this year, securing an incredible 86 consecutive wins and 13 back-to-back titles. Her remarkable form also saw her finish as runner-up on the Winmau Development Tour and earn a coveted PDC Tour Card for the next two seasons.
Taylor is full of praise for the young star's technique and mentality. "Beau's throw, stance and follow-through are good. She's got a lot of bottle," he said. He also noted her growing experience, acknowledging she can produce brilliant legs like an 11-darter, even if her level occasionally fluctuates during a match.
Women's Darts Making Its Mark
While two of the five female competitors have already been eliminated from this year's tournament, Taylor is optimistic about the prospects for Greaves and Fallon Sherrock. He suggested that two or three women could progress through the first round, calling the prospect "amazing" and stating he "wouldn't bet against it." Sherrock faces Dave Chisnall in her opening match.
The highly anticipated clash between Beau Greaves and Daryl Gurney is scheduled as the second evening match at Alexandra Palace on Friday, promising a fascinating contest of experience against phenomenal, record-breaking form.
