JOSH ROCK admits he cried when the phone call that changed his darts career finally arrived.
‘Rocky’ averaged 95.57 and ripped off the final six legs in a row to seal a 3-1 comeback win over Connor Scutt at the Winmau World Masters.
But the Antrim thrower revealed he was in tears after finding out about his inclusion in the Premier League.
Rock explained he never expected the invitation, with several players ranked above him.
He said: “I cried. I definitely had a tear in my eye. I’ve been watching darts all my life and to get that phone call to say that I was in the Premier League it kind of broke my heart.
“I was just so shocked. Obviously, everybody thought I was right for the job, and I’m happy to be in it now.
“I’m one of the elite players now. I can finally call myself one of the elite players.
“There were people who were higher in the rankings than me who I thought were going to get it.
“I got a couple of semi-finals but never won anything. I won the World Cup with Daryl, yes, but I didn’t think that was enough to get me in.
“I still don’t think it was enough to get me in, but I think they just wanted me in, and I’m happy with the decision.”
World No10 Rock revealed the emotional moment unfolded at home, with family members completely oblivious as Sky Sports delayed the announcement.
He added: “I was sitting in the living room. The first person I told was my wife. Her mum was sitting in the living room and her brother was sitting in the living room too.
“We didn’t say anything to them at first. We were watching Sky Sports but it was delayed because of football so it wasn’t on yet.
“The two of them didn’t even realise I was in it, they were too busy on their phones, which was the funny thing.
“Then they found out and they both looked at me like, ‘You’re in it.’ I went, ‘Yeah, funny enough, I am actually.’ But yeah, the first person I told was my wife and we were both very, very happy.
“Buzzing. Especially when it comes to Belfast. But regardless of my first night and regardless of what the result is going to be, I can have on my CV that I was a Premier League player.
“Just to experience it for the very, very first time, to be in the Premier League with the elite players, I am so buzzing for it.”
Rock had a brilliant 2025 campaign where he reached three major semi-finals and helped Northern Ireland lift the World Cup.
The 24-year-old now turns his attention to a round-two clash with Rob Cross in Milton Keynes as he chases his first-ever Premier League event win.
He continued: “We’re all the best players in the world. We’re here for a reason.
“So I have to go up there and do my job and beat him. That’s what I have to do.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
