jonny clayton forced

Jonny Clayton forced to cancel family holiday after last minute qualification for £1million darts tournament

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JONNY CLAYTON has had to cancel a family holiday after qualifying at late notice for next month’s Grand Slam of Darts.

The Welshman, 52, will be involved in the prestigious event in Wolverhampton where Luke Littler, 19, is the two-time defending champion.

Jonny Clayton of Wales celebrates his victory during the World Series of Darts Finals.
Jonny Clayton has had to move plans around so he can take part in Grand Slam of Darts Credit: Getty
Luke Humphries celebrates winning the World Grand Prix darts final.
Clayton beat Luke Humphries in the Swiss Dart Trophy Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

Until Sunday night, the Ferret was expecting to go to the Black Country because the criteria for the Grand Slam is different to other premier tournaments.

Players have to reach at least one televised final or lift a European Tour event to secure automatic qualification.

Prior to his 8-4 final victory over Luke Humphries in the Swiss Darts Trophy, Clayton had not made a major TV final or been a winner on the season-long continental series.

His New Zealand Darts Masters success in Auckland in August did not count as it is an invitational competition.

He may have left it late but his schedule has now changed – the Grand Slam carries a top prize of £200,000 – though his wife will have to look at rearranging their plans for a trip abroad.

It also means he does not have to take part in a Grand Slam qualifier on November 6 in Leicester – Humphries says the pair can play golf that day instead.

Clayton, the new world No.5, said: “If you want to lift these trophies, you have to beat people like Luke.

“He’s absolutely fantastic. A good friend. What a player.

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“Thank God, I’m in the Grand Slam. It’s always great to win any trophy. It was also a great evening of darts.

“I can cancel my holiday now for the Grand Slam. I will have to be in Wolverhampton. It’s always good to be in that.

“Who knows what will happen? I feel good. I am enjoying my game, I am throwing alright.”

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