Jonny Clayton sealed the night in Scotland as Clayton wins Premier League night three Glasgow, beating Gian van Veen 6-2 at the OVO Hydro, Glasgow.
It mattered because Clayton didn’t get a soft route, he beat Gerwyn Price, then Luke Littler, then Van Veen, and he finished the job with a 156 checkout plus a 104.35 average in the final, a sharp swing in the league race after Night 3.
Key Takeaways
- Clayton beat Van Veen 6-2 in the final.
- Clayton’s path: Price, Littler, Van Veen.
- Van Gerwen withdrew due to illness, changing the bracket.
Premier League Darts Night 3 Glasgow results (every match, all rounds)
| Match | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter-final: Gian van Veen vs Stephen Bunting | van Veen 6-3 | Strong finishing late |
| Quarter-final: Luke Humphries vs Josh Rock | Humphries 6-2 | Fast start, held throw |
| Quarter-final: Luke Littler vs Michael van Gerwen | Littler BYE | MVG ill, withdrew |
| Quarter-final: Jonny Clayton vs Gerwyn Price | Clayton 6-3 | Clinical on doubles |
| Semi-final: Jonny Clayton vs Luke Littler | Clayton 6-1 | Littler never settled |
| Semi-final: Gian van Veen vs Luke Humphries | van Veen won (score not confirmed) | Comeback, match darts saved |
| Final: Jonny Clayton vs Gian van Veen | Clayton 6-2 | 156 finish, 104.35 avg |
Nightly format stays simple. It’s a one-night mini tournament; the winner earns 5 points, the runner-up gets 3, and the losing semi-finalists take 2 each. Quarter-final losers get 0.
For an official-style rolling scoreboard across the season, see the BBC Premier League darts results page.
Quarter-finals at the OVO Hydro: who advanced, and how the bracket shifted
Michael van Gerwen’s late withdrawal created the biggest bracket change, handing Luke Littler a bye into the semi-finals. Elsewhere, Clayton beat Price 6-3 with steadier doubling at the key moments. Van Veen moved on with a 6-3 win over Stephen Bunting. Luke Humphries also progressed, brushing aside Josh Rock 6-2.
Semi-finals and final: Clayton pulls away, Van Veen cannot match the pace
Clayton then handled Littler 6-1 in the semi-final, and the match never really opened up. On the other side, Van Veen beat Humphries in a tense contest after trailing 3-1 and surviving match darts, but the exact score was not confirmed in the provided report.
In the Jonny Clayton vs Gian van Veen final, the numbers told the story. Clayton won 6-2, hit a 156 checkout, and posted a 104.35 average. That big finish acted like a door slamming shut, it stopped Van Veen building any late pressure.
How Jonny Clayton won the night, the turning points that decided it
Clayton’s best work came when legs tightened. He didn’t need a perfect night of scoring, he needed reliable doubles, and he got them. That’s often the difference in this format, where one loose visit can flip a match.
He also looked comfortable switching gears. When opponents missed doubles, Clayton punished quickly. When a hold mattered, he slowed the pace and took the percentage shots.
The headline moments were loud, but the foundations were quiet. The 104.35 average and the 156 checkout sit on top of a night of good decisions and clean setups.
Beating Price, then Littler, then Van Veen matters because it’s three different problems in one evening. Price brings pressure, Littler brings pace, and Van Veen brings belief. Clayton answered all three, and that’s the kind of run that changes confidence and standings.
Premier League nights reward control more than reputation, because every match is short and every miss gets exposed.
A useful bit of context on how Price has built wins in this format can be found in BBC’s Premier League night report on Price.
The finish everyone will replay: the 156 checkout in the final
A 156 checkout means taking out 156 in one turn with three darts, a rare “high finish” that can steal a leg from nowhere. In a short final, that sort of strike can turn a close spell into a gap on the scoreboard. Clayton’s 156 checkout landed at exactly the kind of time that forces the other player to chase.
Winning ugly is not the point, Clayton won with control on doubles
This wasn’t about hanging on. Clayton built chances with smart setup shots, then took them. That style travels well week to week because it doesn’t rely on constant 180s.
Big stories from Glasgow: Van Veen’s surge, Littler’s flat semi, and Van Gerwen’s illness withdrawal
Glasgow delivered a winner, and it also moved a few storylines forward. Van Veen backed up his selection with a final. Littler’s night changed when the bracket shifted. Van Gerwen’s absence also left an early mark on legs and points.
Van Veen’s run to the final shows he belongs in this field
Van Veen started with a 6-3 win over Bunting, and he earned it rather than waiting for mistakes. Next, he beat Humphries after fighting back from 3-1 down and surviving match darts. That kind of recovery shows composure, even before any title arrives.
What happened to Luke Littler on the night, and why the bye mattered
Littler advanced via a bye because his scheduled opponent withdrew due to illness. He then lost to Clayton in the semi-final, and the match never found a steady rhythm.
- Scoring rhythm: the usual bursts didn’t sustain across legs.
- Doubles: chances came, but they didn’t stick often enough.
For a reminder of Littler’s ceiling when everything clicks, BBC’s report on his big Premier League moment is a useful read: Littler’s Cardiff nine-darter story.
Why Michael van Gerwen withdrew, and the real impact on points and legs
Van Gerwen withdrew due to illness, and that’s all that’s confirmed. In simple terms, his quarter-final is treated as a 0-6 loss for legs. As a result, his opponent receives a bye into the semi-finals, which can matter early because small leg swings can decide places later.
Premier League Darts table after Night 3: standings and what they mean
| Position | Player | Nights won | Matches won | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clayton | 1 | 5 | 9 |
| 2 | van Gerwen | 1 | 5 | 8 |
| 3 | van Veen | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| 4 | Price | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 5 | Humphries | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 6 | Littler | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 7 | Bunting | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Rock | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Standings based on official points updates as reported by the broadcaster and PDC match reporting.
The Premier League Darts points system is built for momentum. Win the night and it’s 5 points, which can jump a player several places. Lose in the quarter-finals and you get nothing, so every first match carries real weight.
Quick points system explainer for new viewers
Each night is a straight knockout mini tournament. Players earn points based on how far they go that night. Because the matches are short, one hot run can reshape the table fast. Early leg difference can also matter, especially when places tighten.
What’s next: Night 4 in Belfast and the storylines to watch
Next up is Night 4 at the SSE Arena, Belfast, on Thursday, February 26. Glasgow set a baseline for what wins look like: clean doubles, timely big finishes, and no wasted legs.
- Can Clayton back it up after his Glasgow win?
- Can Van Veen turn finals runs into a win?
- Will Van Gerwen return, and how health affects momentum?
The three matchups and moments fans will be looking for next week
Attention will also fall on the players still stuck on 0 points, because the pressure builds quickly in this format. Leg difference stays in the background at first, yet it often shows up later as a tiebreaker. Another fast start from a table leader could force others into chase mode.
FAQs fans are searching right now
Who did Clayton beat to win Night 3 in Glasgow?
Clayton beat Gerwyn Price in the quarter-final, then Luke Littler in the semi-final, then Gian van Veen in the final. The final score against Van Veen was 6-2.
What was Clayton’s checkout or high finish?
His headline moment in the final was a 156 checkout. That kind of finish can flip a short match in seconds.
What was Clayton’s average in the final?
Clayton posted a 104.35 average in the final. It matched the eye test because he stayed steady on scoring and doubles.
Why did Van Gerwen withdraw?
Michael van Gerwen withdrew due to illness. No further details were confirmed in the provided reporting.
How does Premier League Darts scoring work?
Each night is a knockout event with points added to the league table. The winner gets 5 points, the runner-up gets 3, and semi-finalists get 2 each. Quarter-final losers get 0.
Who leads the Premier League table after Night 3?
Clayton leads after Night 3 on 9 points. Van Gerwen sits next on 8, with Van Veen third on 6.
Clayton left Glasgow with the trophy, a 6-2 final win, plus a 156 checkout and a 104.35 average that made the difference. The table already feels tighter because one withdrawal and one strong night can swing points quickly. Night 4 in Belfast now arrives with real pressure on the pack.
Verified results: Compiled from broadcaster reporting and PDC match updates.
Update policy: If PDC updates stats (averages or checkouts), this article will be updated.
