Premier League darts: Peter Wright wins opening night
- Published
Peter Wright has never won the Premier League
World champion Peter Wright won the opening night of the Premier League in Cardiff.
Wright beat the defending champion Jonny Clayton 6-1 in the final, taking home a £10,000 bonus and five points for the league table.
"There were a few nerves but to be the first winner is great," said Wright.
There is a new format for the Premier League this year, which sees the eight players competing in a knockout competition each night.
It replaces the former round robin system.
Players get two points for reaching the semi-finals, three points for finishing as runner-up and five points for winning each event.
The top four players in the league table will then compete in two semi-finals and a final at the play-off event in Newcastle on 26 May.
Earlier in the evening, Wales' Clayton beat debutant Joe Cullen 6-2 in the first quarter-final match before defeating James Wade 6-5 in his semi-final.
In his quarter-final Wright met Michael Smith in what was a rematch of the World Championship final, Wright was victorious again beating Smith 6-3. In an all-Scottish semi-final Wright beat Gary Anderson 6-5.
The world number one Gerwyn Price received a loud welcome in front of a sell-out crowd at the Motorpoint Arena in his quarter-final, but was defeated 6-3 by Wade.
Results:
Quarter-finals
Jonny Clayton 6-2 Joe Cullen
Gerwyn Price 3-6 James Wade
Peter Wright 6-3 Michael Smith
Gary Anderson 6-4 Michael van Gerwen
Semi-finals
Jonny Clayton 6-5 James Wade
Peter Wright 6-5 Gary Anderson
Final
Jonny Clayton 1-6 Peter Wright