£35,000. That is the sum that could change everything for Peter Wright. At the Austrian Darts Open, ‘Snakebite’ dominated Zoran Lerchbacher 6-2 to reach the second round of the tournament and took the opportunity to make a statement few were expecting: he is going to win the World Championship at Alexandra Palace later this year.
A bold claim for a player currently ranked outside the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix. This article looks back at his victory over Lerchbacher, his response to criticism over his failure to qualify, and the reasoning behind his sensational prediction for the PDC World Championship.
A clean win, nerves of steel
6-2 against Zoran Lerchbacher. On paper, it’s a clear-cut victory. In reality, Peter Wright himself admits that the match wasn’t played in a completely calm atmosphere.
“After the first leg, I think nerves got the better of him. But I was a bit nervous myself, to be honest, because I’m fed up with the money not coming in through the rankings. But it’s down to me. I need to pull myself together.” These are the words of a player who hasn’t lost his sense of perspective, which is already a positive sign.
The new Austrian venue clearly made a good impression. Gone is the stifling tent of previous editions Wright praised the quality of the new venue, particularly the practice area. “It was really good, the crowd was great, I enjoyed it.” An atmosphere that stands in stark contrast to the difficult conditions experienced at past Austrian Opens.
Lerchbacher, a local player well-respected on the European circuit, put up a good fight. But against a Wright focused on the essentials racking up ranking points the match left no doubt as to the final outcome. The real question is how this version of Wright measures up against higher-level opponents. And that is precisely what he will have to demonstrate in the next round against Martin Schindler.
Not qualified for Blackpool and the Grand Prix? Wright responds
The reality of the PDC rankings is relentless. At present, Peter Wright is not among those qualified for the World Matchplay in Blackpool or the World Grand Prix. Two major tournaments. Two absences that mark the downward trajectory of a two-time world champion over the past 18 months or so.
But Wright has no intention of accepting this situation without a fight.
The logic of £35,000
His response is mathematical, not emotional. “Why wouldn’t I be in Blackpool? If I win this tournament, that’s £35,000, and I need about £10,000 more. There are plenty of tournaments between now and then. ” The PDC circuit does indeed offer numerous opportunities via the Players Championship events, which continuously feed into the Order of Merit rankings.
Wright admits to having deliberately ruled out two upcoming European Tour events a decision he stands by, which he believes can be offset through the Players Championship. It’s a matter of managing his schedule, not giving up. The distinction is important.
| Tournament | Wright’s current status | Qualification status |
|---|---|---|
| World Matchplay (Blackpool) | Not qualified | ~£10,000 extra in the rankings |
| World Grand Prix | Did not qualify | Results to improve on the tour |
| World Cup | Not selected (Scotland) | Wright admits he doesn’t deserve his place |
| PDC World Championship (Ally Pally) | Qualified via world ranking | Maintain his position in the overall rankings |
Speaking about the World Cup, Wright displays a rare clarity of thought in the sport: “I won’t be at the World Cup, and I shouldn’t be there because I’m not playing well.” It’s hard to fault him for such honesty. Scotland currently has players in better form, and he himself acknowledges this.
A champion adapting to his new reality
What comes across in his comments is a shift in his relationship with the game. “I don’t feel any more nervous. Before, you’d come straight from the Premier League or World Series events, and you’d already had the experience of playing against the top seven players in the world because you were one of them.”
Wright is no longer part of that select elite of eight players in the Premier League Darts. He knows that. But he also sees a kind of freedom in it: less pressure from the schedule, more time for family, a more selective approach to tournaments. “I’m getting older and I appreciate the game more than I used to. ” It’s not a gentle retirement it’s a redefining of priorities.
Still, the frustration is there. For him, for his fans. “It just takes time to get back on track. It’s frustrating for my fans and for me.” His form is returning, he says. His level too, he hopes.
The advantage over Schindler and the World Championship prediction
A venue he’s already familiar with
Before reaching Alexandra Palace, Wright must first get past Martin Schindler in the second round of the Austrian Darts Open. And here, he claims a clear advantage.
“It’s a disadvantage for Martin Schindler when I play him tomorrow, because I’ve already been on stage, had a practice session, won a match and seen how the crowd reacts. He’s not playing in his home country. So I have no excuses.”
Schindler, the defending champion at the Austrian Darts Open, will be the favourite in many people’s eyes. But Wright highlights something very real: getting used to a new venue matters. Practising the day before, knowing the stage layout, reading the crowd all these factors play a part in managing stress during the opening legs of a match. This is no trivial matter in a double-knockout tournament.
“I’m going to win the World Championship”
That’s the statement that’s been doing the rounds in the specialist media. Speaking to DartsNews, Peter Wright claimed he would be lifting the PDC World Championship trophy for the third time at the end of the year at Alexandra Palace and that he hopes to face Luke Littler in the final.
“At the end of the year when I lift the World Championship! Yes, I’m going to win it. I hope to play Luke Littler in the final. Otherwise, Luke Humphries, because they’re the two best players in the world.”
With two PDC World titles already to his name in 2020 and 2022 Wright has every right to make such claims. He isn’t just making it up. But the reality of the last 18 months calls for caution.
Wright is no longer a seeded player in major invitational tournaments
His average has generally declined compared to his years of dominance
He hasn’t reached the latter stages of a PDC major for several months
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are dominating the circuit with averages consistently above 100
Can Wright win at Ally Pally? Yes the PDC World Championships are full of surprises, and the extended format favours players capable of building momentum over two weeks. Phil Taylor proved this for twenty years. So did Michael van Gerwen. But for Wright in 2024–2025, the gap to the elite is real, and a final victory would mean beating, on multiple occasions, players who currently outshine him in terms of consistency.
The precedent of champions in rebuilding
PDC history has seen champions bounce back from slumps to reclaim the title. Adrian Lewis went through difficult periods between his two world titles (2011, 2012). Gary Anderson experienced dry spells before returning to his best form. Darts is a sport where throwing mechanics can be rebuilt quickly sometimes within a few weeks of targeted training.
Wright knows this. His confidence is not blind. It is based on a conviction: his arm has not forgotten how to win top-level matches. The question is whether the timing will be right in December in London.
What is certain is that his statement will not go unnoticed in the dressing room. Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen they have all been warned. And if Wright puts together a string of solid results at Players Championship events and on the European Tour between now and the autumn, this prediction could take on a whole new significance.
