Josh Rock has insisted his confidence has not been dented by his maiden Premier League campaign, as he turns his focus to the World Matchplay. The Northern Irishman was a wildcard selection for the 2026 Premier League after a strong 2025, which included a run to the semi-finals in Blackpool. However, he struggled for results in his first year, picking up only four match wins and eight points, finishing bottom of the table.
No Lasting Scars
Rock said he has not been left with any Premier League scars. "I've taken it and moved on. I won a European Tour event [the Austrian Open in May], so it obviously didn't affect me too much. I enjoyed the experience, regardless of the results and I'd do it again in a heartbeat," he said.
Asked what he learned, he said: "Just how loud the crowds were. I'm used to Ally Pally, the Grand Slam, the Matchplay. When you play in these big areas, it's just one massive noise. You've got to take it all in."
Looking Ahead
Rock added: "If I'm in the Premier League again, I know what to expect next year. It's definitely not knocked my confidence. I'm pretty strong-minded. I'm looking forward to next year, if I'm given the chance again. I now want to win an individual major and try and get in the top four."
He joked about his early exits: "Not involving me because I was out in the first round most of the time!" But he added seriously: "It is getting out of hand at the minute. People probably think it's funny but if they want us to perform at our best, they need to cut it [whistling] out."
World Matchplay Ambitions
Rock is now focused on the World Matchplay, where he reached the semi-finals last year, losing 17-14 to eventual champion Luke Littler in a match that set a tournament record with 29 180s. "It was a fantastic game. I'd never won a game at the Matchplay until last year, so it was nice to get that monkey off my back. It's an amazing venue, probably my favourite venue. It's just so iconic. Bring it on, hopefully I can bring home the title," he said.
