Flawless Gerwyn Price Masters Manchester to move to second in the Premier League Table

Gerwyn Price produced a stunning run of form to climb into second place in the BetMGM Premier League standings, sealing a dominant Night Nine victory in Manchester on Thursday evening. The Welsh star delivered a series of high-quality performances at the AO Arena, showcasing his scoring power and clinical finishing to secure his second nightly title of the 2026 campaign.

Price was in imperious form throughout the evening, registering three convincing 6-2 victories against Luke Humphries, Stephen Bunting and Gian van Veen. Each performance underlined his growing confidence as the tournament approaches its crucial middle phase, with the 41-year-old now firmly established among the leading contenders for a Play-Off berth.

His night began in emphatic fashion against reigning champion Humphries. Price immediately made his mark with back-to-back finishes of 167 and 135, setting the tone for what would become a commanding display. Those early checkouts not only stunned his opponent but also allowed Price to dictate the tempo of the match. He went on to average just over 104 in a comprehensive victory, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most dangerous players when in rhythm.

The semi-final clash with Bunting arguably produced the standout performance of the entire tournament so far. In a high-quality encounter, both players traded heavy scoring, but Price found an extra gear when it mattered most. Averaging an exceptional 112.91, he also thrilled the Manchester crowd with a spectacular 170 checkout. Despite Bunting averaging over 106 himself, he was unable to match Price’s relentless precision, as the Welshman powered through to the final.

Price carried that momentum into the decider, where he faced Van Veen. The former World Champion wasted little time asserting control, producing two superb 128 finishes to race into a 4-0 lead. Although Van Veen managed to steady himself with a couple of holds of throw, Price remained firmly in control throughout. He closed out the match with a 105.84 average, completing a flawless night’s work and underlining his title credentials.

Reflecting on his success, Price said: “I was chasing two points first and foremost in my first game against Luke.

“It was a tough game. I started off with two big checkouts which settled me into the game, and then I played really well against Stephen, who I also thought played well.

“I don’t think Gian was really on his game in the final, but you just feel sometimes that you can’t miss, and that’s how it felt tonight.”

The victory sees Price move above his World Cup teammate Jonny Clayton into second place in the table, edging ahead on leg difference. With the race for the top four intensifying, every point is proving crucial, and Price’s surge has significantly strengthened his position.

Meanwhile, Van Veen’s run to a fourth nightly final of the season keeps him firmly in contention for the Play-Off spots. The Dutchman, who had not tasted victory since Night Four in Belfast, returned to form with a dramatic quarter-final win over Luke Littler. That contest went the distance, with Van Veen holding his nerve in the deciding leg to secure a vital breakthrough.

He followed that up with a convincing 6-3 win against Josh Rock in the semi-finals, producing a brilliant 160 checkout along the way. Those performances ensured he collected three important points, moving him to within touching distance of the top four despite falling short in the final.

Elsewhere on Night Nine, Rock impressed by claiming his second consecutive victory over Clayton. Despite Clayton producing a strong 107.44 average, Rock’s timely finishing saw him secure a 6-4 win to progress to the semi-finals. In the other quarter-final, Bunting held off a late charge from Michael van Gerwen to record a 6-3 victory, even as the Dutchman averaged over 104 in defeat.

At the top of the standings, Littler continues to lead the way, maintaining a two-point advantage despite an early exit in Manchester. Price’s rise into second is followed by Clayton and Van Gerwen, who currently occupy the remaining Play-Off places. Van Veen’s resurgence has lifted him into fifth, just ahead of Humphries, while Bunting and Rock complete the table in seventh and eighth respectively.

Attention now turns to Night Ten, which will take place at the Brighton Centre on Thursday, April 9. Price will look to build on his momentum as he faces Rock in his opening match, while Van Gerwen meets Van Veen in an all-Dutch encounter. Humphries and Clayton will go head-to-head, and Littler takes on Bunting as he aims to bounce back.

As the Premier League format dictates, points are awarded on a nightly basis, with five going to the winner, three to the runner-up, and two to each semi-finalist. These points accumulate across the campaign, with the top four players progressing to Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena on May 28. With the competition heating up, every performance is becoming increasingly significant in the battle for qualification.

Flawless Gerwyn Price Masters Manchester to move to second in the Premier League Table 

2026 BetMGM Premier League

Night Nine – AO Arena, Manchester

Thursday April 2

Quarter-Finals

Stephen Bunting 6-3 Michael van Gerwen

Gerwyn Price 6-2 Luke Humphries

Gian van Veen 6-5 Luke Littler

Josh Rock 6-4 Jonny Clayton

Semi-Finals

Gerwyn Price 6-2 Stephen Bunting

Gian van Veen 6-3 Josh Rock

Final

Gerwyn Price 6-2 Gian van Veen

Night Ten – The Brighton Centre

Thursday April 9

Quarter-Finals

Luke Humphries v Jonny Clayton

Gerwyn Price v Josh Rock

Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting

Michael van Gerwen v Gian van Veen