Josh Rock joins exclusive list after 2025 World Cup of Darts win for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland claimed their first World Cup of Darts title in dramatic fashion on Sunday night, as Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney edged past Wales 10–9 in a thrilling final.

It was a landmark moment for the Northern Irish pair, who were appearing in their first ever World Cup final — and made it count at the first time of asking.

For Gurney, it marks a third major title to add to his previous triumphs at the 2017 World Grand Prix and the 2018 Players Championship Finals. For Rock, however, it’s a major breakthrough — the first senior major of his young career.

With the win, Rock joins an exclusive group of players who have claimed their maiden major title at the World Cup of Darts. That list includes Co Stompé (alongside Raymond van Barneveld in 2010), John Henderson (with Peter Wright in 2021), and Damon Heta (with Simon Whitlock in 2022) — all of whom, for now, have lifted just the one major in their careers.

As for the Welshmen, it wasn’t to be this time. Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price were bidding for a third World Cup crown, having previously lifted the trophy together in 2020 and 2023.

Clayton has enjoyed great success in major events since his breakthough win for Wales back in 2020. In addition to his World Cup victories, The Ferret enjoyed a stellar 2021, picking up four televised titles: The Masters, the Premier League, the World Grand Prix, and the World Series of Darts Finals.

Speaking after the final, Rock explained how he plans to kick on now following this breakthrough win. "I'm hoping so," he smiled when asked if he can now take a major individual title. "I believe it will happen – when the time’s right. The PDC level’s going through the roof, but I do believe in myself."