Northern Ireland's Josh Rock in Rory McIlroy 'green jacket' quip after Austria glory
Josh Rock delivered a reference to another Northern Ireland champion following the Broughshane thrower’s Austrian Darts Open title triumph.
A second European Tour victory of his career arrived for Rock in Graz at the expense of Kevin Doets after a thrilling 8-6 success – with the prize marked by silverware plus the presentation of a jacket, leading the home favourite to flag up Rory McIlroy’s Masters glory last month at Augusta.
Rock, as reported on the official PDC website, said: “There's two Northern Irishmen to get a green jacket this year...I'm happy that”.
Rock averaged 101.56 on the way to victory over Doets, having earlier defeated Northern Ireland's Daryl Gurney in the semi-finals by 7-3.
“I’m very relieved,” said Rock - who finished runner-up in his first-ever European Tour final at the Austrian Darts Open in 2023 - on the official PDC website. “I made my first final against Jonny (Clayton) here, and when he got the jacket I was kind of jealous.
“Then Martin (Schindler) beat me last year in the semi-final and won it, so I was determined to win it this year and I’m happy I finally got it.
"Titles are very hard nowadays to win...the standard's that good.
"To come here this weekend and win is a massive achievement.
"Every single tournament we play is very important...we try to manage our schedule, at the same time we have family at home.
"But I'm very, very happy I've won the title and, hopefully, it’s not the last this year.”