JOE Cullen faces a tough ask at the World Grand Prix, which begins in Leicester later this month.
The unique double start event will be the first major for the Bradford darts ace since July, where he lost 10-5 in the opening round of the World Matchplay to Nathan Aspinall.
Cullen is a fan of the event, and he reached the semis in 2023, but he will be going up against the in-form James Wade in his opener on Tuesday, September 29.
Wade has won the World Grand Prix twice in his career, back in 2007 and 2010, but more relevant is his excellent run in 2026.
Currently number six in the rankings, the four-time World Championship semi-finalist reached the last-eight of the World Masters and World Matchplay this year.
Not only that, but he stormed to the UK Open final only to be beaten 11-7 by teenage superstar Luke Littler.
And over the weekend, Wade won third European Tour title of his career, as he beat Ross Smith 8-4 in the final to lift the Flanders Darts Trophy.
Cullen also took part in that event in Belgium, but he was beaten 6-3 in the opening round by home favourite Andy Baetens.
The Wyke man played well enough, but his opponent was on song, averaging 102.7 in his victory.
Cullen has had a disappointing year on the European Tour and in majors so far, but he has shown flashes of his best in the Players Championship.
He has reached the last-eight three times and a semi, while he lost 8-4 in the PC8 final to Wessel Nijman back in March, despite finishing with a higher average.
And Cullen will surely take heart from his performance against Wade at last year’s Grand Prix, if needs any inspiration in a couple of weeks.
Wade had hammered him 10-3 at the World Matchplay that July, but Cullen turned the tables on him in Leicester, with a straight-sets victory.
The 32-player field at this year’s World Grand Prix will be competing for a £150,000 top prize.
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