Callan Rydz has been scoring with the best of them at the 2025 World Darts Championship (Image: X: @ChrisHammer180)
Callan Rydz has put tipping him for the world title down to ‘mind games’.
Rydz is ranked 43rd in the world but he has put on a series of sparkling performances at the Ally Pally, joining an illustrious and exclusive list of all-star names who have twice averaged over 105 at the same .
There was a slight drop-off in his 4-3 win over Robert Owen on Monday afternoon, but he still averaged over 97 and nailed more than 40 per cent of his doubles. Wright, who is into the quarter-finals after a shock win over reigning champion , believes that Rydz is one to watch.
“I want to play like Callan Rydz,” said ‘Snakebite’. “He’s just going up there enjoying himself and playing fantastic darts. He should be favourite for this tournament. He’s playing superb darts and long may it carry on.”
When those comments were put to Rydz, he suggested that they were little more than an attempt to throw him off. “He loves a mind game, doesn’t he?” said the -born thrower. “But listen, Peter, fair play to him for last night.
“I watched the game and absolutely fair play to him, after the year he’s had. I’ve had a bad two years and this tournament has been a breath of fresh air for me. He’s a lovely lad, Peter, I’ve got a lot of time for him.
Peter Wright believes Callan Rydz should be the favourite for the world title (Image: Getty)
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“They were nice words but I’m not thinking about that. You’ve got to take it one game at a time, whether I’m playing Michael [van Gerwen] or Jeffrey [de Graaf], I’ll be up for it. I’ll be back on the practice board tomorrow and that’s the main thing.”
Following a brief hiatus for New Year’s Eve, Rydz will be back for the quarter-finals on January 1. And he could hardly have been given a tougher assignment, with three-time world champion Van Gerwen waiting after a 4-2 win over De Graaf.
‘Mighty Mike’ has been far from his best this season, but he is beginning to find his rhythm at the Alexandra Palace. His 101.98 average will have sent out a warning to Rydz, and the rest of the field for that matter, with the business end of the tournament fast approaching.
Luke Littler was still the bookies’ favourite for the title going into his meeting with Ryan Joyce on Monday night, followed by MVG, Stephen Bunting, Wright and Rydz.