Simon Whitlock is hopeful that his past success on darts’ biggest stage will prove significant when the PDC World Championship gets underway.
The 45-year-old Wizard of Oz has struggled to hit top form recently but believes that he can put himself in contention for glory at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Whitlock, who is sponsored by leading trade paint manufacturer Leyland Paints, said: “I haven’t quite been firing on all cylinders recently, which has been a bit disappointing.
“But the World Championship is what every player looks forward to – and I feel like I’m ready.
“It’s a competition which I’ve had some success in previously and I love playing at Ally Pally, so hopefully that will stand me in good stead.”
Whitlock reached the final of the competition in 2010 before falling to Phil Taylor, while he was also a semi-finalist in 2012, despite playing with a broken ankle, and made the semi-finals last year.
Seventh seed Whitlock is one of three Australians in action on Saturday December 20 as he takes on Norwich-based Darren Webster.
The winner of that clash will face either Dean Winstanley or Wayne Jones on Sunday December 28.
Despite not being in peak form throughout 2014, Whitlock has still reached the semi-finals of the World Matchplay and final of the Singapore Masters this year.
“When things aren’t going quite right, all you can do is keep practicing and keep your self-belief,” said Whitlock, who now lives in Waterlooville.
“I’ve been working hard and I’m really looking forward to the most exciting fortnight of the darting calendar.”
Article provided by Leyland Paints.
Whitlock will be joined at the World Championship by fellow Leyland Paint ambassador Michael van Gerwen, current world champion and world number one, while former world champion Mark Webster is also part of ‘Team Leyland.’
Leyland Paints was founded in 1922 and has a long and distinguished history of affordable, trade quality paints.