Peter Wright’s words come back to haunt him as he suffers shock first-round exit from PDC World Darts Championship

World no. 4 seed Peter Wright has been sent packing in the first round of the PDC World Championship as he was thrashed by Jim Williams.

‘Snakebite’ has had patchy form this year but was still expected to make a decent showing at the Worlds, which he won just two years ago.

2

Wright arrived on the scene in classic attire but is going homeCredit: Getty

But in an almighty upset, unranked Williams beat him 3-0 at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday night.

The Scotsman saw his ranking boost after winning the European Championship victory in October, his first televised victory in two years.

However, he was never at the races on Wednesday night with Williams making light work of the 2020 and 2022 world champion.

That is despite the fact that Wright insisted that he could be a dark horse to win the competition this year before a dart had been thrown.

“It’s good because it takes the pressure off me, everyone is talking about them to win it so I will let everyone talk about them,” he said.

“Don’t write me off because I am going to be there right at the end. There is no reason why I can’t win. I know how to win it, I know what you have got to do.

“There are a lot of players who haven’t won it and are still trying to find how to win it and what to do at the right time.”

Wright added: “The reason I have had a rubbish year is because I took time off and have not been playing competitive darts all the time so I am not in that zone. That is the only reason.

“I am ready. You don’t want to peak too soon.

“You have just got to do enough in the first couple of rounds and get yourself into the tournament after Christmas then peak at the right time.”

While Wright was never considered one of the hot favourites this tournament, some of the big hitters might be happy to see such a big name leave already.

2

Wright has been sent packing at the Worlds alreadyCredit: Getty

“I am ready. You don’t want to peak too soon.

“You have just got to do enough in the first couple of rounds and get yourself into the tournament after Christmas then peak at the right time.”

While Wright was never considered one of the hot favourites this tournament, some of the big hitters might be happy to see such a big name leave already.

Luke Humphries is the favourite to win the whole tournament while last year’s victor Michael Smith is also in contention.

Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross are also among those looking to win the big prize.