World Grand Prix: Jonny Clayton beats defending champion Gerwyn Price 5-1 in all-Welsh final
- Published
Jonny Clayton won his first televised world ranking title as he swept aside defending champion Gerwyn Price 5-1 in the World Grand Prix final.
World number one Price started in fine form with a 160 check-out to win the opening leg, but his Welsh compatriot Clayton roared back to take the set.
Clayton, averaging 94.44 to Price's 92.47, took the next two sets as well.
Price hinted at a recovery by making it 3-1, but Clayton came back again and a 116 checkout sealed the title.
Clayton picked off the doubles all evening at the Morningside Arena and as well as his winning finish, enjoyed checkouts of 170, 164, 152 and 110.
The victory in Leicester over Price earns Clayton £100,000 and propels him into the world top 10 for the first time, as he climbs from 14th to seventh in the rankings.
"This might be the third (title of 2021), but it is the first one which counts," Clayton said.
"It is what dreams are made of. We all play to win a big major, it is a ranked (event) and my first one.
"And now it is world number seven Jonny Clayton, which is brilliant."
Price, who hit eight maximums, paid tribute to his good friend, having won the 2020 World Cup together.
"He did not miss a double early on to get off and was phenomenal," Price said.
"I had a chance, but did not take them a couple of times and Jonny was winning the big moments.
"He was too strong today, fair play to him, he was fantastic."