Gerwyn Price's opening win at the World Grand Prix has drawn him level with Phil Taylor and Dave Chisnall for the most consecutive first-round victories at the tournament. Price defeated Sebastian Bialecki 2:0 to clear the first round for the seventh straight time, tying the benchmark set by Taylor and Chisnall. Ross Smith awaits in the last 16.
Gary Anderson and Jonny Clayton, meanwhile, have been the model of consistency at major PDC ranking events. Since the most recent World Darts Championship, both have reached at least the last 16 at every ranking major, and with their opening wins in Leicester, they extended that run to five tournaments. The streak covers the World Darts Championship, UK Open, World Matchplay, World Masters, and the ongoing World Grand Prix. Clayton edged Krzysztof Ratajski 2:1 on Monday, while Anderson followed on Tuesday with a tight 2:1 over Damon Heta, surviving a match dart.
Price, James Wade, and Stephen Bunting sit just behind Anderson and Clayton, each having reached at least the last 16 at their last four ranking majors. They also kept their runs intact with opening wins at the World Grand Prix. All three were last outside the last 16 at a ranking major at the 2026 World Championship. Ryan Searle follows with three consecutive last-16 showings, while Nathan Aspinall, Ross Smith, Wessel Nijman, and Gian van Veen are on two in a row.
The first round in Leicester wrapped up on Tuesday evening, and it saw high-profile exits. Luke Littler lost 1:2 to Luke Woodhouse, and Michael van Gerwen went down 1:2 to Ryan Joyce. Behind Taylor, Chisnall, and Price in the consecutive first-round wins list are Dennis Smith, Kevin Painter, and Raymond van Barneveld, all with six. John Part, Terry Jenkins, Wes Newton, and Michael van Gerwen each posted five, with Adrian Lewis achieving that mark twice.
Anderson and Clayton have also impressed at non-ranking majors. Anderson reached the World Cup of Darts semi-finals alongside Cameron Menzies, while Clayton made the quarter-finals there and reached the semi-finals at both the World Series of Darts Finals and the Premier League. Anderson did not take part in the latter two events. Clayton last lost before the last 16 at a major in November 2025. Price's streak is still alive; at his next appearance, another opening win would give him the record outright.
