Iceman Price Looks to "Control" His Way to Matchplay Glory

Gerwyn Price believes playing behind closed doors at the BetFred World Matchplay might help him “control” his way to glory.

The double Grand Slam champ will go into the new dawn of darts as a big favourite to land the first big stage major since lockdown in Milton Keynes later this month.

Iceman Price, 35, has undoubtedly proved he is a player of the highest talent, but admitted how much he needs the buzz saying "I need the adrenaline, I need the atmosphere.

I know at the ProTour’s there’s no crowd or anything, but I think it feels different in the environment with all the players.

Just having a player there next to you, I need that intensity.

Obviously, it’s going to be different at the Matchplay but at the same time it’s going to be the same format.

It’s first to 10 in the first round and over the longer formats, I prefer that. The likes of Michael and Peter, they prefer that as well.

It’s just a pity for the crowd, I thought there was a chance there was going to be a crowd there to come and watch.

But at least the event is on and we’ll be playing. I’m just happy to be playing again. We just have to deal with it".

The Iceman knows that everyone will have been preparing hard at home, with many taking the chance to get in better shape and deliver the highest quality Summer Series kicks on July 8 and then the Matchplay on July 18.

You can catch all the action LIVE on Sky Sports and PDCTV with the following schedule:

2020 Betfred World Matchplay

Schedule of play - all times BST

Saturday July 18 (1800)

5x First Round Matches

Sunday July 19 (1800)

5x First Round Matches

Monday July 20 (1800)

5x First Round Matches

Tuesday July 21 (1800)

1x First Round, 4x Second Round Matches

Wednesday July 22 (1900)

4x Second Round Matches

Thursday July 23 (1900)

2x Quarter-Finals

Friday July 24 (1900)

2x Quarter-Finals

Saturday July 25 (2000)

Semi-Finals

Sunday July 26 (2030)

Final