JOSH ROCK admits he is still adapting to life at the oche after his dramatic weight loss.
The world No7 revealed that dropping from 18-and-a-half stone to 15 stone has changed the feel of his throw.
Josh Rock has had a dramatic weight loss Credit: Shutterstock
He has recently lost three and a half stone Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Rock, 25, booked his place in the last 16 of the World Matchplay with a 10-4 victory over Luke Woodhouse at the Winter Gardens.
The Antrim thrower averaged 90.42 in the win but was clinical when it mattered, converting 53 per cent of his doubles to set up a clash with Stephen Bunting.
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Rock insists he is still learning how to get the best out of his new frame after shedding the pounds.
He said: “I don’t know, obviously I’ve had the weight loss, I went from 18 and a half stone to 15 stone.
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“It’s probably a massive thing in my game at the minute, obviously getting used to the balance.
“But I seem to be managing it okay at the minute, so we’ll see what happens.”
Rocky has made no secret of his ambition to lift a maiden major title, insisting he wants it more than anyone left in the field.
He added: “I’m feeling better coming here because the first two years I’ve played here in the Matchplay I’ve never even won a game.
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“It’s my third year I came here and got to the semi-finals, so I know what I’m going to do in these days and I’m here to prove it.
“I want to win this title more than anybody in that back room.
“I don’t care what Michael van Gerwen says, [Luke] Humphries says, I want to win this Phil Taylor Trophy more than anybody else in that back room.”
Rock has enjoyed a strong campaign, reaching the UK Open semi-finals and winning the Austrian Darts Open.
The former World Cup winner has put a difficult Premier League debut campaign behind him after finishing bottom of the table with just four wins.
He continued: “The Masters was the first tournament, I got a quarter-final and then the UK Open I got a semi-final, again back-to-back so I don’t think it’s been disappointing obviously.
“The only problem was obviously the Premier League campaign but obviously first time there I probably should have been up more for the occasion.
“But I still enjoyed the Premier League regardless where I came because it was one of the best experiences of my entire life.”
