Luke Woodhouse Still Top-Ranked PDC Player Yet to Claim a Title Following Swiss Trophy Final Loss

Luke Woodhouse remained upbeat despite falling short in the final of the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel, where he was defeated 8-3 by a dominant Stephen Bunting. Woodhouse delivered one of the finest performances of his PDC career to reach the final, overcoming tough opponents including Ryan Searle in a thrilling quarter-final and Cor Dekker 7-3 in the semi-finals before facing the world number four.

After a tight first leg in the final, Woodhouse found himself under relentless pressure from Bunting, who maintained an impressive average of over 100 for the fourth consecutive match on Finals Day. Although Woodhouse fought hard, including a remarkable 171 setup to narrow the gap to 3-2, Bunting’s strong form proved too much. A key 110 checkout and a decisive 83 finish from Bunting sealed the victory, making the outcome feel inevitable.

Reflecting on the match, Woodhouse acknowledged Bunting’s superior scoring. “He scored so heavily and showed exactly why he’s ranked where he is,” he said. “He kept me on the back foot from the start, and I just couldn’t get close.”

Despite the loss, the 35-year-old focused on the positives, viewing the final appearance as a significant milestone. “It’s all positive for me. Reaching the final is a huge achievement, and I would have taken that at the beginning of the weekend,” Woodhouse said.

Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about building on this momentum. “I’m hoping this can be the start of something bigger, pushing on through the ProTours and the rest of the season. I’m confident I can compete with anyone—I’ve beaten all the top players before. Hopefully, this year I can finally claim my first title.”

Basel represents a major step forward for Woodhouse, who has long been regarded as one of the highest-ranked players yet to win a PDC title. His run to the final affirmed his place on the sport’s biggest stages, and if he can carry this newfound confidence into upcoming events, a breakthrough victory may be just around the corner.