On night one in Newcastle, Luke Littler suffered a shock quarter-final exit at the hands of Gian van Veen, while Michael van Gerwen showed some of his best form with victory over his Dutch counterpart in the final.
Van Gerwen’s punishing display against Van Veen stole the headlines, but it was Clayton who produced the most impressive performance in his demolition of debutant Josh Rock.
Clayton impressed on PL return
Clayton returned to the Premier League for the first time in two years, and the Ferret was eager to showcase why he belongs among the elite players.
The world No.5 went into his clash against Rock as the underdog, despite all of his experience in the competition, and he used the betting odds as fuel to deliver a statement.
The Welshman reached world-class levels during his 6-2 victory against the Northern Irishman, including six 180s, a sensational 109.81 average, and a near perfect 6/9 on the doubles (66.67%).
Following a disappointing World Championship by his high standards, Clayton hit the heights that saw him lift the Premier League on his debut in 2021 with relentless treble-hitting and ruthless finishing.
Clayton, of course, was stopped in his tracks by a resurgent Van Veen in the semi-final, and his average dropped to 94, but what he did against Rock proves he can be a major player in this year's tournament.
Bunting up next for Clayton
Up next for Clayton is a quarter-final against Stephen Bunting in Antwerp, and the 51-year-old will fancy his chances of building on his opening night victory.
The Bullet’s selection for one of the PDC’s showpiece events was questioned after finishing bottom of the table in 2025, and he played straight into the critics' hands in Newcastle.
Bunting was outclassed in a 6-2 quarter-final defeat against Van Gerwen last week after averaging a mediocre 97.59 and producing a 25% checkout percentage.
The 40-year-old must drastically improve those levels to avoid being the competition's scapegoat, and if he comes against an in-form Clayton on Thursday, it could be a long night for the Liverpudlian.
While the pair have shared five wins in their 10 previous meetings, Clayton has shown great form across all tournaments, whereas Bunting has lost five of his last eight.
Having won the Premier League on debut, Clayton has finished in the top four in each of his three full appearances, and another ticket to finals night will be his aim this year.
Clayton keen to prove a point
Some players tend to suit certain events, and the Premier League is a match made in heaven for Clayton.
The Ferret has spoken openly in the past about preferring a shorter format, which arguably explains why he’s had success in this tournament.
Speaking in January after hearing he was one of the eight players selected, Clayton couldn’t contain his excitement.
“Once he said (Clayton’s manager) I was back in, the smile on my face was massive,” he said.
“I love it. I think it’s the best tournament of all. You’re playing against the eight in-form players — if not the eight best players in the world. It’s a challenge and it’s exciting.”
Excitement was matched with an eagerness to prove he can dismantle the world’s best ahead of the tournament.
“I’ve moaned enough about not being in it, so I’m back with a smile on my face, and I’ve got some proving to do that I should be in it," he added.
“If you talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk. I’ve said that I should have been in it; now I need to prove why I should be in it.”
Clayton certainly walked the walk in his dominant performance against Rock on night one, and if he can produce those levels consistently, there’s no reason why he can’t win his second Premier League.