Andrew Gilding: Darts’ Uncrowned Finalist – Seven Attempts, Zero Triumphs
Andrew Gilding has unfortunately cemented a unique, if unwanted, record in professional darts: seven Pro Tour finals played, seven finals lost. He now holds the unenviable title of the player with the most Pro Tour final appearances without a single victory. Meanwhile, fellow darting star Peter Wright is facing his own challenges, with calls for him to take a temporary break from the sport to regain his form and mental well-being.
Andrew Gilding: The Heartbreak of the Pro Tour Finalist
For Andrew Gilding, the PDC Pro Tour circuit has become a stage for repeated near-misses and agonizing defeats. With his recent 1-8 loss to Gerwyn Price, Gilding’s tally now stands at an astonishing **seven Pro Tour finals without a single win**. This makes him the player with the most Pro Tour final appearances who has yet to lift a trophy.
His journey through these finals illustrates a consistent ability to reach the very top echelons of tournaments, only to fall short at the final hurdle. This remarkable consistency in reaching finals, coupled with the inability to clinch victory, has become a defining, and perhaps frustrating, aspect of his career. Here’s a look at his seven final defeats:
- **2026, PC6:** Lost 1-8 to Gerwyn Price 🏴
- **2025, ET6:** Lost 0-8 to Gary Anderson 🏴
- **2022, ET12:** Lost 6-8 to Dave Chisnall 🏴
- **2022, PC19:** Lost 6-8 to Danny Noppert 🇳🇱
- **2022, PC9:** Lost 6-8 to Danny Jansen 🇳🇱
- **2014, PC1:** Lost 5-6 to Gary Anderson 🏴
- **2014, UKQ2:** Lost 5-6 to Stephen Bunting 🏴
These matches represent a pattern of incredibly close contests, especially the 5-6 and 6-8 scorelines, which highlight just how agonizingly close Gilding has been to victory on multiple occasions. **Reaching seven finals is a testament to his skill, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure**, yet the inability to cross the finish line has left him without a Pro Tour title to his name.
Peter Wright’s Struggles: A Call for a Break
While Gilding grapples with final-round heartbreak, another prominent figure in darts, two-time World Champion Peter Wright, is facing a different kind of challenge. Following a series of disappointing performances, including what has been described as a ‘debacle’ or significant dip in form, there are growing calls for ‘Snakebite’ to take a temporary break from the sport.
Professional darts, like any elite sport, demands immense mental fortitude and consistent peak performance. When a player of Wright’s calibre experiences a significant dip in form, it often suggests underlying issues that extend beyond just technique. **Taking time away can allow a player to rest, regroup, and rediscover their passion and focus**, which are crucial for success at the highest level of competition. This break could be vital for him to recharge and return stronger.
The Mental Game: Pressure Cooker of Professional Darts
Both Andrew Gilding’s struggle to secure a final win and Peter Wright’s recent form highlight the immense psychological pressure inherent in professional darts. The precision, concentration, and emotional resilience required to perform consistently under the spotlight are immense. For Gilding, overcoming the mental hurdle of a final might be his next biggest challenge, while for Wright, a break could be the key to reigniting his championship-winning spark and returning to his former glory.
Source: Based on an article from News – Dartsnieuws.com.
