STEPHEN BUNTING has turned to SPIKED SHOES in a bid to protect his expensive footwear on the oche.
The World No.4 battled back from 2-0 down to beat Chris Landman 6-3 in round two of the Swiss Darts Trophy, averaging 99.18 and firing in three 180s.
Stephen Bunting has been in darts action in Switzerland[/caption]
The 40-year-old has been wearing unusual footwear[/caption]
St Helens thrower Bunting has been in red-hot form this season, winning the International Open, lifting two World Series titles and grabbing a brace of Players Championship crowns.
But all eyes were on the 40-year-old’s spiky new kicks as Bunting explained his unusual choice on the big stage.
He said: “They’re expensive shoes. But I was playing in expensive shoes without the spikes, and they were marking.
“So, my idea is use the spikes and they won’t touch the oche and they will last a lot longer.
“And if someone upsets me, they will get one of them in the back.”
Bunting was also relieved to hit back following the agony of missing EIGHT match darts in a 6-5 defeat to Thibault Tricole at last week’s Hungarian Darts Trophy.
He added: “I know I have got it in me. I was really disappointed last week in Budapest, that hurt me quite a bit.
“I thought it was going to take some time to get over. Obviously when you’re on a bit of rut things don’t go quite right.
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“But I made sure I made it right tonight. I knew I had the gears and I found them.”
Former Masters champ Bunting made sure to salute the Swiss fans after his triumph.
He continued: “We go across the globe playing darts and it’s an absolute pleasure coming to Switzerland. I love it here.
“I remember through my BDO days up until today the Swiss fans have always supported me and I can’t thank you enough.
“Load of ducks, load of Bunting mental hats and load of absolute idiots dressed in green thank you very much for turning up and supporting me. It means a lot.”
