Northern Eire’s Josh Rock secured his first title on the European Tour in virtually two years with a 8-6 win over Kevin Doets within the remaining of the Austrian Darts Open on Sunday.
The 25-year-old from Broughshane scored 5 straight wins in Graz to safe the £35,000 high prize and a inexperienced jacket – joking “I am simply completely satisfied that two Northern Irishmen bought a inexperienced jacket this 12 months”.
Rock noticed off Patrik Kovacs on Saturday to maneuver into finals day on Sunday the place he survived three match darts in opposition to Niko Springer to come back by way of in a final leg decider to achieve the final eight the place he overcame Cristo Reyes.
In an all-Northern Eire semi-final, Rock was a 7-3 winner over Daryl Gurney and completed the job within the decider with an 8-6 win in opposition to Netherlands’ Doets.
“I am very relieved,” Rock mentioned afterwards.
“To return right here this weekend and win is an enormous achievement. I am simply completely satisfied that two Northern Irishmen bought a inexperienced jacket this 12 months!
“I made my first remaining in opposition to Jonny [Clayton] right here [in 2023], and when he bought the jacket I used to be form of jealous. Then Martin [Schindler] beat me final 12 months within the semi-final and gained it, so I used to be decided to win it this 12 months, and I am completely satisfied I lastly bought it.
“Kevin has been enjoying unbelievable this 12 months, and he has proved it by profitable his first ProTour on Monday. He is solely going to maintain profitable extra, I am simply grateful I bought the sting in opposition to him on this one.”
Within the remaining, the opening 4 legs have been shared with breaks of throw earlier than Doets edged forward because of an 11-darter.
Rock rattled off the following three legs which included a 170 checkout, however the Dutchman hit again as he punished a checkout error to stage the ultimate at 6-6.
Nonetheless, Rock held his nerve to interrupt again because of a 78 checkout and with the darts, produced a 14-dart leg to say his first Austraian Darts Open and the customary inexperienced jacket.
