Gurney qualified for the 2009 BDO World Championships, beating former World Masters finalist Jarkko Komula before defeating Belgium's Kim Huybrechts to become the first Northern Irish player to qualify for Lakeside since Mitchell Crooks in 2001. He defeated 14th seed Garry Thompson in the first round to set up a second round encounter with 2007 champion and reigning Masters champion Martin Adams. Gurney levelled the match at one set all and then two sets all before losing 4-2.
The following year, Gurney qualified again, and once more played the 14th seed in the first round, this time the debuting Scott Mitchell. Gurney won the first two sets before Mitchell levelled the match and took a 2–0 lead in the decider, hitting nine out of twelve darts at double. But Gurney eventually prevailed 4–2 with consistent scoring. He once again played Adams in the second round, and was again defeated. Adams went on to win the title.
2012–2013: Move to the PDC
In June 2012, Gurney won the England Masters, Northern Ireland Open and the Tom Kirby Memorial Trophy. In winning the latter, he earned a spot in the preliminary round of the 2013 PDC World Championship, where he edged out Robert Marijanović 4–3 in legs. Gurney then beat Andy Smith 3–1 in sets in the first round.[3] He lost each of the first three sets in a deciding leg in the second round against Dave Chisnall and outscored him in the 180 count, but was beaten 4–1.[4] In January 2013, Gurney entered Q-School in an attempt to win a two-year PDC Tour Card and was successful on the second day by winning six matches, concluding with a 6–2 victory over Paul Amos.[5] His best result in his debut year on the tour came at the German Darts Championship, where Gurney defeated Colin Lloyd, Ronnie Baxter and Simon Whitlock in reaching the quarter-finals, but his run came to an end when he lost 6–2 against Peter Wright.[6]
2014
Gurney's second quarter-final appearance in the PDC was at a UK Open Qualifier in February 2014 which he reached by eliminating world number one Michael van Gerwen 6–5 with a 146 checkout. He was beaten 6–4 by Andrew Gilding but the performance ensured he qualified for the UK Open itself for the first time and lost 5–4 to Ian White in the second round.[7][8] Later in the year, Gurney made his debut in the World Grand Prix which he qualified for by being the second highest non-exempt Irish player on the Pro Tour Order of Merit. He came close to recording an upset in the first round against Adrian Lewis. In the deciding leg of the final set Gurney missed the bull for a 170 finish and two further darts at double eight, being beaten 3–2 in sets.[9] However, he bounced back later in the week when he won the Tom Kirby Memorial Irish Matchplay title by defeating Radek Szagański in the final.[10]
2015
Gurney's Irish Matchplay title earned him a place in the preliminary round of the 2015 World Championship and Scott MacKenzie missed one dart to eliminate him 4–0.[11] Instead, Gurney levelled at 3–3 before MacKenzie missed a dart at double 11 to complete a 142 finish which allowed him to step in and seal a 4–3 win. Gurney then lost 3–1 against Ronnie Baxter in the first round.[12] From the last 32 stage of the fifth UK Open Qualifier, Gurney beat Alan Norris, Peter Wright and Dave Chisnall to reach his first PDC semi-final where he was defeated 6–2 by Michael Smith.[13] The performance helped him to enter the UK Open at the third round stage and he thrashed Kevin McDine 9–1 to play John Henderson in the fourth round.[14] Gurney won five legs in a row between 13 and 15 darts to surge 8–7 ahead, before Henderson sent the tie into a deciding leg which he won.[15] His second semi-final came at the 10th Players Championship event and he was eliminated 6–3 by Joe Murnan.[16] Gurney lost 2–0 in sets to Robert Thornton in the first round of the World Grand Prix, but two quarter-final exits saw him play in the Players Championship Finals for the first time. He averaged 101.38 in a 6–2 victory over Kim Huybrechts and then knocked out reigning world champion Gary Anderson 10–4, winning the last six legs in a row, to reach his first major quarter-final.[17][18] Gurney then advanced to the semi-finals with a 10–5 victory over Benito van de Pas, but from level at 2–2 with Michael van Gerwen, Gurney lost nine successive legs to exit the tournament.[19]
2016
Gurney won the first set of his second round match against Anderson at the 2016 World Championship. He went on to lose 4–1, but missed a dart to win the second set and four to win the third.[20] He averaged 105.18 in getting past Peter Wright 6–4 in the third round of the Dutch Darts Masters and then averaged 106.84 during a 6–4 quarter-final win over Adrian Lewis.[21] Gurney swept into his first PDC final with a 6–1 win over Mensur Suljović, but lost 6–2 to world number one Van Gerwen.[22] He was now Northern Ireland's number two player on the Order of Merit and so he teamed up with Brendan Dolan at the World Cup of Darts and they beat Japan, Ireland and Canada to reach the semi-finals, where they lost both their singles matches against the English pairing of Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis.[23] Gurney qualified for his first World Matchplay, but was ousted 10–2 by Ian White in the first round.[24] He fared much better at the World Grand Prix, despite having taken a month off due to a broken bone in his throwing hand. He beat Mensur Suljović 2–1 in a deciding leg and Steve West 3–0 to make the quarter-finals, where he lost 3–1 to Dave Chisnall.[25][26] Gurney was also knocked out in the first round of the European Championship 6–4 by Gerwyn Price and 6–1 by Kim Huybrechts in the second round of the Players Championship Finals.[27]
2017: World Grand Prix champion
After breaking into the top 32 on the PDC Order of Merit in 2016, Gurney was a seeded player for the first time at the 2017 World Championship and beat Jermaine Wattimena 3–1 in the first round. He won the first six legs of his second round match with Robert Thornton, but Thornton recovered to move 3–2 up. However, Gurney then took six of the final seven legs to move into the third round for the first time in his career and played Mark Webster.[28] Gurney missed five darts to win 4–2, but held on to take it 4–3 and become the first player from Northern Ireland to reach a PDC World Championship quarter-final.[29] His run ended with a 5–1 defeat to Michael van Gerwen.[30] Comfortable victories over Alex Roy, Mark Webster and Vincent van der Voort saw Gurney advance to the quarter-finals of the UK Open. He then took five successive legs from 7–4 down to Simon Whitlock, but it still went to a deciding leg which Gurney took and dedicated the win to his best friend who died earlier in 2017. In the semi-finals he lost 11–5 to Peter Wright.[31]
Gurney won his first PDC title by overcoming Kim Huybrechts 6–3 in the final of the seventh Players Championship.[32] He got to the final of the eighth event a day later and he came from 4–1 down to level at 5–5 with Joe Cullen, but missed one dart at the bullseye to win.[33] Gurney missed four match darts against Mensur Suljović in the semi-finals of the Gibraltar Darts Trophy.[34]
In July, Gurney was invited to participate in the US Darts Masters as part of the World Series of Darts. He won his first round match against DJ Sayre, which included a 154 checkout, before defeating Peter Wright 8–7 in the quarter-finals on a last leg decider, before coming from 4–1 down to win 7 legs in a row to defeat Gary Anderson 8–4 in the semi-finals, to set up a final with Michael van Gerwen, which despite leading 5–3, he eventually lost 8–6. Later that month at the 2017 World Matchplay, Gurney reached the semi-finals for the first time.[35]
Gurney won his first major televised title at the 2017 World Grand Prix, beating John Henderson 4–1 in the semi-finals and winning the last two sets of the final against Simon Whitlock to win the match 5–4.[36][37]
2018: Players Championship Finals champion
Gurney was eliminated in the second round of the 2018 PDC World Darts Championship, losing 4–2 to John Henderson, which was considered a big upset due to Gurney's status as World No. 4.[38] Despite the loss, Gurney's 2017 success earned him a spot in the 2018 Premier League Darts, his debut in the tournament.[39] He earned a win against reigning world champion Rob Cross in front of a home crowd in Belfast on Week 8.[40] Gurney finished in fifth place at the end of the league stage. He also made his debut in the Champions League of Darts but was unable to get out of his group.[41]
At the 2018 Players Championship Finals, Gurney progressed past the second round with a victory over Ryan Searle, who missed match darts to beat Gurney. Gurney followed the scare by defeating Brendan Dolan, before 10–2 and 11–3 wins over Chris Dobey and Danny Noppert to set up a final with Michael van Gerwen. The match almost went the full 21-leg distance, but Gurney hit the bullseye for an 85 finish to win the final 11–9, earning his second major title.[43]
During his 2019 Premier League Darts campaign, Gurney earned two wins over Michael van Gerwen, becoming the second player to complete a Premier League double against van Gerwen after Peter Wright achieved the feat in 2018.[46] After his 7–7 draw with Gerwyn Price on Week 14 in Sheffield, Gurney exchanged heated words with Price, with the two almost becoming physical before being separated by security guards.[47][48] Gurney reached the play-offs of the Premier League, losing in his semi-final match with Michael van Gerwen.
At the 2020 UK Open, Gurney reached the semi-finals, a run which included a 10–6 win over reigning world champion Peter Wright. He was beaten 11–3 by eventual champion Michael van Gerwen.[50]
Gurney was unable to play on the 2020 PDC Home Tour, a tournament launched amid the COVID-19 outbreak which allowed players to compete from their own homes. Gurney's facilities at his house were not deemed sufficient.[51] Following his UK Open semi-final, Gurney experienced a downturn in form, losing early in the World Grand Prix, European Championship and Players Championship Finals. He dropped out of the world's top ten as a result.[52]
At the 2024 World Grand Prix, Gurney drew Michael van Gerwen in the first round. Gurney defeated van Gerwen in a 2–0 whitewash where he won all six legs, marking the first time van Gerwen failed to win a leg in a televised ranking match in 13 years.[62][63] Gurney lost to Joe Cullen in the next round.
2025
At the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, Gurney recovered from 2–1 down to defeat Florian Hempel to set up a third round match against Jonny Clayton. Clayton took a 3–0 lead before Gurney won the next three sets to level the score at 3–3. Clayton won the deciding set 3–1 to put an end to Gurney's comeback.[64]
James Martin Wade is an English professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is currently ranked world number fifteen, having reached a peak of world number two in 2010. He became the youngest player to win a major PDC title when he won the 2007 World Matchplay at age 24. This record has since been broken by Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler. Wade has won eleven PDC majors, third in the all-time list behind Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.
Michael van Gerwen is a Dutch professional darts player, who competes in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. He is currently ranked world number three, having been the world number one from 2014 to 2021. He is also a three-time PDC World Champion, having won the title in 2014, 2017 and 2019. van Gerwen has won 47 premier singles events in all, having won the World Matchplay, UK Open and Grand Slam each three times, he is a six-time World Grand Prix champion, a seven-time Premier League Darts and Players Championship Finals winner, a five-time winner of both the PDC Masters and World Series Finals, a four-time European Champion and the winner of the 2019 Champions League of Darts. He is also a three-time PDC World Cup of Darts champion, partnering Raymond van Barneveld for the Netherlands.
Gary James Grant Anderson is a Scottish professional darts player who plays Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is currently ranked world number fourteen, having reached a peak of world number two from 2015 to 2016. Nicknamed "The Flying Scotsman", after the famous steam train, he is a former BDO and WDF world number one, and a two-time PDC World Champion, having won the title in 2015 and 2016. He is regarded as one of the best darts players of all time.
Stephen Bunting is an English professional darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is currently ranked world number five.
David Chisnall is an English professional darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is currently ranked world number six, having reached a peak of world number five in 2024.
Brendan Gabriel Dolan is a Northern Irish professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. He was the first player to hit a nine-dart finish in a "double-to-start" event, which he achieved at the 2011 World Grand Prix, giving him the nickname The History Maker. He also reached the final of this tournament, where he lost to Phil Taylor.
Peter Stuart Wright is a Scottish professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is currently ranked world number twelve, having been the world number one on two occasions in 2022. Nicknamed "Snakebite", he is a two-time world champion, having won the PDC World Darts Championship in 2020 and 2022. He also won the World Matchplay in 2021.
MichaelMansell is a Northern Irish darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. He won his maiden PDC title in 2018 and reached the semi-finals at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts.
Ian White, nicknamed Diamond, is an English professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. White is the winner of 13 PDC ranking events, and has reached many quarter-finals in majors. In 2019, he reached his first major semi final.
Michael Smith is an English professional darts player. Nicknamed "Bully Boy", he plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is currently ranked world number seventeen, having been the world number one during the 2023 season. He is a former PDC World Champion, having won the 2023 World Championship.
Benito van de Pas is a former Dutch professional darts player.
Jamie Lewis is a Welsh professional darts player who currently plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and World Darts Federation (WDF) events. His biggest achievement to date was reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 PDC World Darts Championship where he lost to Phil Taylor.
Dirk van Duijvenbode is a Dutch professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. He is known for his energetic walk-on, combined with hardstyle music. More recently, he has become known for his job on an aubergine farm, which has led to him having the nickname 'Aubergenius'.
Gerwyn Price is a Welsh professional darts player and former professional rugby union and rugby league player. He plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is currently ranked world number nine, having been the world number one on three occasions from 2021 to 2022.
Danny Noppert is a Dutch professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is currently ranked world number thirteen, having reached a peak of world number seven in 2023 and 2024. He was the runner-up at the 2017 BDO World Darts Championship and won the 2017 Finder Darts Masters, before switching to the PDC in 2018, where he has won 6 ranking titles, including the 2022 UK Open.
Christopher Dobey is an English professional darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is currently ranked world number ten. Nicknamed "Hollywood", Dobey has won 5 ranking PDC titles and was the 2023 Masters champion. He reached the semi-finals at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, the Players Championship Finals and World Grand Prix both in 2019, and the 2022 European Championship. He also reached the quarter-finals at the 2016 Grand Slam, the 2023 World Matchplay, and the 2024 World Series Finals.
Nathan Aspinall is an English professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is currently ranked world number eleven, having reached a peak of world number four in 2024.
Robert Cross is an English professional darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is currently ranked world number four, having reached a peak of world number two in 2018 and 2019. He is a former PDC World Champion, having won the 2018 PDC World Darts Championship, defeating Phil Taylor in the final on his debut, having turned professional just 11 months prior to the event.
Luke Humphries is an English professional darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is currently ranked world number one. He is a former PDC World Champion, having won the 2024 World Championship, defeating Luke Littler in the final. Nicknamed "Cool Hand Luke" in reference to the 1967 film, Humphries has won 18 senior PDC titles and is the reigning back-to-back Players Championship Finals champion and the 2024 World Matchplay champion. Humphries has also won premier events at the 2023 World Grand Prix, the 2023 Grand Slam and the 2024 World Cup of Darts for England, partnering Michael Smith. He also won the 2024 New Zealand Darts Masters on the World Series of Darts and the 2019 PDC World Youth Championship.
The 2021 PDC World Darts Championship was the 28th World Championship organised by the Professional Darts Corporation since it separated from the British Darts Organisation. The collapse of the BDO in September 2020 and subsequent postponement of the World Darts Federation-sanctioned event meant that this edition was the first undisputed World Championship in the sport since John Lowe won the BDO World Darts Championship in 1993. The event took place at the Alexandra Palace in London from 15 December 2020 – 3 January 2021, and was played behind closed doors, except for the first day of the tournament, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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