Joe Cullen advances to second round of Hungarian Darts Trophy

Joe Cullen has advanced to the second round of the Hungarian Darts Trophy in Budapest after defeating Adam Leek 6-3. The victory marks a successful start to Cullen’s return to competitive play following a five-week hiatus from the professional tour.

Cullen admitted to experiencing some initial difficulties during the week’s earlier Players Championship events, noting that his performance was “rusty” and his doubles were “horrific.” However, he expressed satisfaction with his ability to find his rhythm and finish the match strongly against Leek.

The match featured a sense of familiarity, as Leek is part of the group of players Cullen regularly travels and trains with on the Pro Tour. While Cullen acknowledged that his recent form on the European Tour has been inconsistent compared to previous seasons when he frequently reached the quarter-finals, he noted his continued affinity for competing in Budapest.