Simon Whitlock is confident his intensive practice programme will yield reward when the latest Premier League Darts is launched in Belfast tonight.
The Australian star is one of 10 players in the elite line-up preparing to tour the biggest venues in the UK over the next 14 weeks for the right to qualify for May’s play-offs in London.
Whitlock begins his campaign with a meeting against Adrian Lewis, and has revealed he has put in plenty of hours on he practice board to ensure he’s ready for the opening night clash.
“I’m really excited about getting started in the Premier League again,” said the 43-year-old world number five.
“It’s a really tough format because you are playing the best players in the world week in, week out.
“I’ve put a lot of practice in over the last three months and I think there’s a lot to come from me during the Premier League.
“It’s vital to get off to a good start and hopefully I can do that against Adrian in Belfast.”
The Premier League has increased from eight to 10 players for the first time this year, with the bottom two players facing relegation after nine weeks.
And Whitlock has welcomed the change in format as he prepares for his fourth year in the event.
“It probably needed a little revamp and I think it’s a good idea,” he added.
“People like Wes Newton and Robert Thornton are making their first appearances in the event and really deserve to be there – and there are two or three more players who could have been included as well.”
Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC