Callan Rydz hit four 180s across just 12 legs (0.3 per leg) in his opening round 3-0 win over Patrick Kovacs. Rydz’s scoring has always been a strong aspect of his game with last year’s quarter finalist also hitting 18 scores of 100 or higher in that victory. 

Rydz won the 180 count in all but one of his matches in reaching the quarter finals of the competition last year, including hitting more maximums than Micheal van Gerwen in the quarter final (17-14). 

Daryl Gurney is an experienced and capable player, but rarely batters the treble 20 bed. This was clear in his opening round match against Beau Greaves, where he only hit two maximums across 21 legs of darts (0.09 per leg) as his tie with Greaves went to a deciding set. Greaves hit seven 180s in that game, and Rydz is capable of matching those numbers if the tie goes the distance. 

Gurney’s edge here is likely to come in the form of big and clutch finishes rather than outscoring Rydz who also the edge when comparing seasonal 180 numbers:

Gurney: 0.22 180s per leg 
Rydz: 0.31 180s per leg

Gurney shouldn’t be underestimated here, he’s had a solid year which includes being part of the Northern Ireland duo that won the World Cup of Darts, alongside Josh Rock. Gurney’s scoring power has dropped off since his peak, but he’s still more than capable of making this a tough afternoon for Rydz. 

Gurney withstood the scoring power, and unique pressure, that comes with facing Beau Greaves in Round One - crucially hitting a 144 checkout that turned the tide of the contest. Gurney didn’t have a great time on stage at the Grand Slam, but did manage a decent run in the Players Championship Finals - beating Dolan, Bunting and Lipscombe before bowing out to Price in the Quarter Finals, which shows that he can have deep runs in TV tournaments. 

Rydz definitely has the advantage in the scoring phase of the game, but Gurney was expected to lose that battle in the first round as well. Gurney has won the last two head to head meetings between these players, and I think this game could go the distance - which suits Gurney more than Rydz with the Northern Irishman showing his composure in Round One to see off a crowd favourite.