Jonny Clayton is hoping to maintain his impressive resurgence by capturing a second BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix title in Leicester this week.
Clayton lifted the double-start title with an epic victory over his fellow countryman Gerwyn Price in 2021, and he’s one of five former champions left standing ahead of Thursday’s action.
The Welshman will take on Luke Woodhouse for a place in the quarter-finals at the Mattioli Arena, following his straight-sets victory over Andrew Gilding in round one.
“We are all chasing trophies,” insisted Clayton, currently ranked sixth in the world.
“I would be a liar if I said I didn’t think about winning major tournaments.
“I’ve done it before and I know I can do it again, so hopefully I’m on the way back!
“My finishing is strong. I think it’s a big part of my game, so if I can put everything together, hopefully I can pick this trophy up again.”
The 51-year-old has been one of the sport’s stand-out performers in 2025, and he’s the only player to appear in the semi-finals of every televised ranking event this season.
After finishing runner-up to Luke Humphries in the revamped Winmau World Masters, Clayton also featured in the last four at the UK Open and World Matchplay, losing out to Luke Littler and James Wade respectively.
However, Clayton has scooped silverware in recent months, storming to his third European Tour title in May’s Dutch Darts Championship, having claimed his seventh Players Championship crown back in April.
“I’m enjoying darts again. I’m enjoying playing," continued the two-time World Cup of Darts champion.
“I think there’s a spark back in my game and I’ve got a smile on my face, because there’s no better feeling than playing on that big stage.
“I would like to get as high up the rankings as I can. I want to be World Champion. I want to be the world number one.
“That is my dream, and I’m going to try my hardest to get there.”
Woodhouse, meanwhile, booked his place in round two with a remarkable deciding-leg victory over Damon Heta, where he followed up back-to-back 180s with a clinical 90 finish to triumph.
Thursday’s action will also feature a blockbuster showdown between reigning champion Mike De Decker and World Champion Luke Littler, who averaged almost 106 in a magnificent victory against Gian van Veen on Tuesday.
2020 champion Gerwyn Price will take centre stage against Northern Ireland’s World Cup winner Josh Rock, with Rock’s World Cup partner Daryl Gurney – also a World Grand Prix champion in 2017 – up against former finalist Dirk van Duijvenbode.
2025 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix
Thursday October 9 (1900 BST)
4x Round Two matches
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Daryl Gurney
Jonny Clayton v Luke Woodhouse
Luke Littler v Mike De Decker
Gerwyn Price v Josh Rock
Best of Five Sets