Gerwyn Price faces scheduling clash at UK Open Pool Championship
Gerwyn Price has secured a wild card spot in the UK Open Pool Championship, but the tournament, scheduled from May 26-31, directly clashes with the Premier League Darts Play-Offs at The O2 on May 28, reports BritPanorama.
The Welshman, runner-up in the 2023 Premier League, will attend the prestigious pool event at the Brentwood Centre. This competition features 256 players from over 50 countries vying for a £167,500 prize pot.
Whether ‘The Iceman’ ultimately encounters this scheduling dilemma will depend on the outcome of his darts campaign in the coming weeks. Recent performances have seen Price struggle, having lost three consecutive quarter-final matches. Heading into his match in Aberdeen, he sits just five points above fifth place in the Premier League standings.
Price faces Stephen Bunting at P&J Live this evening, aiming for a semi-final berth. He is not a novice at the pool table, having participated in last year’s Mosconi Cup and an exhibition at Alexandra Palace alongside Milan Patel.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has confirmed that Price does not need special permission to compete in the pool championship. A statement clarified, “Gerwyn does not require any special dispensation to participate. PDC players are free to take part in non-darts events outside of their playing commitments.”
Should Price qualify for the Premier League Play-Offs, organisers believe he would likely prioritise darts over the pool event, although the decision remains speculative.
Price’s affinity for multiple sports has been well documented; he has previously played Rugby Union in the Welsh Premiership and had a brief period with Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship. His journey continues to blend sport and passion in unique ways, reminding fans of the multifaceted nature of modern athletes.
