Latest news with #JamesWade
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Darts star launches into a bizarre rant about Scottie Scheffler's stunning existential monologue: 'He doesn't have to get an EasyJet or a Happy Bus'
Darts star James Wade has launched a bizarre rant about how darts players have it much tougher than elite-level golfers, when questioned on Scottie Scheffler's stunning monologue at The Open last week. Wade, 42, explained that darts players are under much more pressure, admitting he didn't know who the Open Champion Scheffler was and added that you cannot make comparisons between the differences in lifestyles between the top players on the PGA Tour and those competing on the professional darts circuit. He even went on to use the example of how Scheffler might fly around the world in a private jet, while darts stars will typically use lower-cost airlines. The comments came after the Surrey-born darts star, known as 'The Machine', had just completed an 11-5 victory against Wessel Nijman at the World Matchplay in Blackpool on Tuesday. Scheffler, who has now won £78.7million over the course of his glittering career, explained ahead of last week's major at Royal Portrush that he was 'wrestling' with thoughts over why he wanted to win so badly and that playing golf was 'not a fulfilling life'. After picking up the Claret Jug on Sunday, he appeared to claim that he hadn't articulated his point as well as he could. 'Am I grateful for it? Do I enjoy it? Oh, my gosh, yes, this is a cool feeling. But having success in life is not what fulfils the deepest desires of your heart,' he explained. "He doesn't have to get on an EasyJet. He doesn't have to get on a Happy Bus." This is what happens when you talk to James Wade about Scottie Scheffler and it doesn't go to plan 😂 — Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 22, 2025 James Wade (pictured with his wife Sammi) has launched a bizarre rant about Scottie Scheffler's comments last week at The Open Scheffler (pictured with his wife Meredith and son Bennett) celebrated picking up the Claret Jug on Sunday after a sensational performance at Royal Portrush Wade, meanwhile, touched on similar notes to Scheffler, who was surrounded by his family after picking up his fourth major on Sunday. 'There are more important things outside of this,' Wade told reporters. 'I want to go and eat fish and chips with my wife after this. This isn't that important. 'I'm 42 years old, there's far more important things than obsessing over this game. I just know I'm lucky enough to make money from this game. He added: 'I think people are too amplified on what you're achieving and what you're doing. I know I'm one of the best, probably top 10 in the world at the moment. Now I go home to see my wife, Arthur and Alfred [his children]. I'm winning. None of this is important. It's really not.' Wade was then quizzed on Scheffler's comments at Royal Portrush. 'I've got no idea what's happening in darts, let alone golf,' he replied, admitting he was unaware of who golf's world No 1 was. Wade then added: 'It sounds really disrespectful, I don't really care what's happening in darts.' The darts star admitted he 'tipped his hat' to those playing on the PGA Tour and DP World tour, adding that they were playing golf to 'provide for their family.' Earlier in the week he had suggested that he wasn't feeling 'fulfilled' by playing elite-level golf Wade, meanwhile, claimed victory at the World Matchplay on Tuesday night, but appeared to claim that the lives and golfers and darts players were 'not comparable' Wade, who has won eight PDC Premier events in his glittering career, then interestingly commented on how different the lives of darts players are to those of elite-level golfers. 'I'm not really interested in what another golf player says because golf players aren't even close to being on the pressure or the pedestal that darts players are put upon,' Wade told reporters at Blackpool's Winter Gardens. 'You can't compare that. When he gets in his private jet... he doesn't have to get on an easyJet, he doesn't have to get on a happy bus, he doesn't have to do all those things. 'So it's not comparable really. He added: 'It's quite amazing that darts players achieve when they don't have all that. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be on a private jet and use a backward [private] entrance at an airport. 'But I'm a darts player. I will use easyJet, Ryanair, because I am what I am.' He went on to praise darts players for the way in which they go about their craft. 'I think what darts players do and how much they travel and where they go and how they get treated is some kind of bloody miracle,' he said. 'When someone like yourself compares them to golfers, it's not relevant, it's detached.' Wade stated that 'I don't really care what's happening in darts' claiming there were more important things in life He then challenged a reporter to follow darts players around the world to compete, while also referencing that it was not about the prize money that darts players can win. 'It's nothing about money, it's just how they travel. Would you travel 12 hours to get to a floor tournament?' Wade, though, was keen not to cause any offence to Scheffler directly. He added: 'Sorry, I didn't mean that in a rude way. That's just how it really is. 'There's no PDC player that gets any special treatment. I wish I was. I wish I did. 'If this guy wants to invite me on his private jet to go to a tournament, I'm your man.' He joked: 'I might even wash his car before it.' Scheffler: 'This is not a fulfilling life' Speaking last week ahead of The Open, Scheffler, who has now picked up 17 career wins on the PGA Tour, stunned reporters at Royal Portrush, by appearing to question why he was playing golf. Scheffler made similar comments last week in Portrush, stating that winning majors was 'not fulfilling from a sense of the deepest places of your heart' But upon winning his fourth major, Scheffler went on to clarify the comments, stating that he was 'grateful' to win The Open 'This is not a fulfilling life,' he said. 'It's fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment but it's not fulfilling from a sense of the deepest places of your heart. 'There are a lot of people that make it to what they thought was going to fulfil them in life, and you get there, you get to number one in the world, and they're like, 'what's the point?' 'I really do believe that because, what is the point? Why do I want to win this tournament so bad? That's something that I wrestle with on a daily basis.' Scheffler was clinical. In typical fashion he once again showed why he is the World No 1, beating his nearest competitor, Harris English, by four shots, posting a card of 17-under-par for the week. 'I've worked my entire life to become good at this game and play for a living. It's one of the great joys of my life and to win The Open is a feeling that's hard to describe,' Scheffler said after lifting the Claret Jug. He clarified his comments earlier in the week, admitting that he was hugely grateful to be able to have this level of success but that there were other things in life that motivated him. 'Am I grateful for it? Do I enjoy it? Oh, my gosh, yes, this is a cool feeling. But having success in life is not what fulfils the deepest desires of your heart. On the 18th green, Scheffler was joined by his young son Bennett and his wife Meredith. His face immediately lit up when the American, who now only needs to win the US Open to win the Career Grand Slam, saw his family 'Just because you win a golf tournament doesn't make you happy - but I'm pretty excited to celebrate this one.' On the 18th green, Scheffler was joined by his young son Bennett and his wife Meredith. His face immediately lit up when the American, who now only needs to win the US Open to win the Career Grand Slam, saw his family. 'When I saw my family, that was a pretty special feeling,' Scheffler said, after he had admitted that he'd quit golf if it ever had an effect on his family. 'It's one that's very hard to describe. It's something I'm very grateful for and something that I'll hold on to for a long time.'
The Sun
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
‘I don't care' – James Wade doesn't know who Scottie Scheffler is as he launches into bizarre rant about darts and golf
JAMES WADE appeared to not know who Scottie Scheffler is as he emphatically rejected comparisons between golf and darts. The Oche veteran, 42, was speaking after his 11-7 victory over Wessel Nijman at the World Matchplay in Blackpool. 3 3 During the press conference, Wade was asked about comments made by recent Open champion Scheffler regarding handling pressure on the world stage. As the question was being delivered, Wade asked "Who?" - before appearing to turn to the moderator. He then had the room in stitches as he quipped: "I've got no idea what's happening in darts, let alone golf." Wade then added: "It sounds really disrespectful, I don't really care what's happening in darts." Giving the subject some more thought, Wade continued: "You get golf - they've got this whole new organisation they've moved across to, and I don't even know what's going on, if I'm honest with you. "Why do you play golf at a competitive level? To supply for your family. All I do is I take my hat off to them. "They're all earning a bundle of money. And no one really cares about what people think within reason. "As long as you try your best when you're at that stage, at that pinnacle of the game… you know. "It's non-comparable. Golf players aren't even close to being on the pressure or the pedestal that dart players are put upon." After checking with the moderator about whether Scheffler is world No1, Wade added of the American: "How does he get to a tournament? Is it a private jet? Right. So when I get on an EasyJet flight… you're laughing and joking, but seriously. "He doesn't have to get on a happy bus. He doesn't have to do all those things. It's non-comparable, really. I think you should perhaps do what dart players do and see what they have to see, and do what they have to do, you know. "It's quite amazing what dart players achieve when they don't have all that up their bottom, you know. "Don't get me wrong, I'd love to get in a private jet. I'd love to be in a backwards entrance in an airport. "But, you know, I'm a dart player. I will do EasyJet. I will do Ryanair. Because I am what I am. 'I MIGHT EVEN WASH HIS CAR' "Would you travel 12 hours to get to a floor tournament? Would you do that three times in a week? No, you wouldn't. "So I think you should probably reflect… and I don't mean that in a disrespectful way." Seeking not to cause any issues with Scheffler, Wade went on: "Sorry, I didn't mean that in a rude way. That's just how it really is. "There's no PDC player that gets any special treatment. I wish I was. I wish I did. "If this guy wants to invite me on his private jet to go to a tournament, I'm your man. I might even wash his car before it." World No8 Wade will be back in action tomorrow in Blackpool, as he takes on No22 Gian van Veen for a place in the last four. 3
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Stephen Bunting battles past Gary Anderson in World Matchplay thriller
Stephen Bunting saw off a Gary Anderson fightback and battled his way to a 12-10 last-16 victory in a scrappy encounter at the World Matchplay in Blackpool. It took a while for both players to shift into a gear as doubles proved troublesome for the pair throughout the match, which went beyond the allotted 21 legs. Advertisement The contest went back and forth but Bunting, who also missed double 12 for a nine-darter, chalked off five straight legs to make it 9-6 and it looked like he would go on to seal a comfortable victory. However, Anderson survived match darts as he fought back to make it a level game but Bunting finally got the job done to win by two clear legs and seal the win. Both players averaged less than 30 per cent on checkouts which made for darting drama and Bunting admitted to being nervous on stage. After the match, he told Sky Sports: 'He's a quality operator. One of the best players to grace the stage and I have nothing but respect for Gary Anderson, and what a win in my career. Advertisement 'I felt nervous anyway. I've got (son) Theo with me tonight, Toby, the missus, but we're through and I can relax now. 'I feel great and playing the best darts of my life and enjoying being in Blackpool – the fans have been incredible.' James Wade produced a vintage performance as he swept Matchplay debutant Wessel Nijman aside in an 11-5 win. There was nothing to separate the two players through the opening six legs but Wade jumped all over the young Dutchman's mistakes as he started to race clear. Advertisement The game started to turn when Wade brilliantly hit back-to-back bullseye finishes to go 8-4 up with his third ton-plus finish of the match. That was in the middle of five straight legs that Wade put together to go within a leg of victory and the Machine pinned double tops to wrap up an impressive win. Gian van Veen reeled off seven straight legs on his way to a thumping 11-5 victory over Danny Noppert. Noppert started on fire and jumped 2-0 ahead but his Dutch compatriot shifted into top gear and went into the second break with a 7-3 lead which Noppert could not bounce back from. Advertisement Van Veen, who surprisingly knocked out Luke Humphries in the first round, threw four 180s and averaged just under 95 to book his spot in the quarter-finals. Jonny Clayton continued his good run of form with an 11-8 win over Mike de Decker. The Ferret threw nine 180s and never went behind in the contest but held off a couple of De Decker fightbacks to see him through safely to the quarter-finals.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stephen Bunting battles past Gary Anderson in World Matchplay thriller
Stephen Bunting saw off a Gary Anderson fightback and battled his way to a 12-10 last-16 victory in a scrappy encounter at the World Matchplay in Blackpool. It took a while for both players to shift into a gear as doubles proved troublesome for the pair throughout the match, which went beyond the allotted 21 legs. The contest went back and forth but Bunting, who also missed double 12 for a nine-darter, chalked off five straight legs to make it 9-6 and it looked like he would go on to seal a comfortable victory. However, Anderson survived match darts as he fought back to make it a level game but Bunting finally got the job done to win by two clear legs and seal the win. Both players averaged less than 30 per cent on checkouts which made for darting drama and Bunting admitted to being nervous on stage. After the match, he told Sky Sports: 'He's a quality operator. One of the best players to grace the stage and I have nothing but respect for Gary Anderson, and what a win in my career. 'I felt nervous anyway. I've got (son) Theo with me tonight, Toby, the missus, but we're through and I can relax now. 'I feel great and playing the best darts of my life and enjoying being in Blackpool – the fans have been incredible.' James Wade produced a vintage performance as he swept Matchplay debutant Wessel Nijman aside in an 11-5 win. There was nothing to separate the two players through the opening six legs but Wade jumped all over the young Dutchman's mistakes as he started to race clear. The game started to turn when Wade brilliantly hit back-to-back bullseye finishes to go 8-4 up with his third ton-plus finish of the match. That was in the middle of five straight legs that Wade put together to go within a leg of victory and the Machine pinned double tops to wrap up an impressive win. Gian van Veen reeled off seven straight legs on his way to a thumping 11-5 victory over Danny Noppert. Noppert started on fire and jumped 2-0 ahead but his Dutch compatriot shifted into top gear and went into the second break with a 7-3 lead which Noppert could not bounce back from. Van Veen, who surprisingly knocked out Luke Humphries in the first round, threw four 180s and averaged just under 95 to book his spot in the quarter-finals. Jonny Clayton continued his good run of form with an 11-8 win over Mike de Decker. The Ferret threw nine 180s and never went behind in the contest but held off a couple of De Decker fightbacks to see him through safely to the quarter-finals.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
‘I'm awkward… I don't fit the mould' – James Wade slams darts chiefs and says he's ‘crushed' by Premier League snub
JAMES WADE says he feels 'like a lemon' being left out of the Premier League, but will keep working hard to be part of it. 'The Machine' recently moved up three places in the Professional Darts Corporation's Order of Merit to No.5, meaning he is one spot away from being automatically included in next year's Premier League with the rest of the top four. 3 3 3 The 2009 Premier League winner hasn't competed in the tournament since the 2022 edition, which saw him finish third. Fellow Englishman Stephen Bunting is currently fourth in the PDC rankings, and after a strong first round showing at the World Matchplay by beating Joe Cullen 10-3 while averaging 104.44, Wade's form suggests he could push to overtake him. However, 'exhausted' Wade has joked the PDC would 'change the qualification gaps' to stop him playing in the Premier League. He said: "I think I've paid enough dues, and I think I've done enough things, and I think I've given enough of my life to the PDC that I'd like to get those rewards. "But I don't think that'd ever happen to me. I think if I was to get back into the top four things would change with the qualification gaps. "I just think it would change. I'm not what they need and I'm not probably what they want, but I want to be there a hundred percent.' After the top four automatically qualify, the rest of the players are selected by Sky Sports and the PDC and assessed on marketability and popularity. And Wade puts him being left out for the last three years on him being 'awkward.' BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Asked for his theory on his exclusion, he said: 'Because I'm awkward. I'm an awkward character. I probably don't say the right things at the right times. "If I was great at saying the right things at the right time, I probably would've been in all the World Series the last 12 months. But I don't quite fit into that mould. "There's other players that do manage to get those things and unfortunately, I don't. I'd love to travel the world. I've been doing it for 25 years. "Do you not think I want to travel the world? Do you not think I want to represent the PDC? Do you not think I want my children and my wife to see me do great things? 'If anything, it crushes me. It crushes me. Why wouldn't it crush me? I'm perhaps not getting what I maybe could have got. So, it's exhausting not to be in that. "But I'll keep trying as hard as I can. I want to be in it all. I want to be part of it all. Of course, I do because when you're not in it, you feel like a lemon.' Wade next faces Wessel Nijman in round two in Blackpool.
