Peter Wright claims world no.1 ranking spot for first time in his career

Livingston-born Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright has risen to the top of the world rankings for the first time in his career.

Despite winning the World Championship in two of the last three years, the flamboyant ace had never grabbed the world no.1 ranking.

However he has leapfrogged Gerwyn Price in the latest Order of Merit following last weekend’s UK Open.

Price needed to reach the final to ensure he kept hold of top spot for another month but was edged out in the quarter-finals. Wright lost out in the last-16 to William O’Connor having defeated both Joe Cullen and Simon Whitlock earlier in the tournament.

East Calder star William Borland sensationally defeated five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld in a final leg decider in the third round.

His fourth round exit to Dirk van Duijvenbode marked the furthest the 25-year-old had progressed in the competition in his young career.

Borland, who made darting history at the PDC World Championship in December by throwing a nine-darter in a deciding leg on his debut in the competition, sits 58th in the latest Order of Merit.

Wright is back in action on Thursday in Night Five of the 2022 PDC Premier League Darts season.

He takes on reigning champion Jonny Clayton in the quarter-finals in Brighton as he aims to maintain is place at the top of the table.

Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here