On-song Simon Whitlock believes he can carry the momentum from a recent tournament victory into a sustained assault on World Matchplay glory.
Whitlock’s success in a Players Championship event last month provided a welcome boost for the Wizard of Oz ahead of his return to Blackpool.
Now he is excited about the prospect of challenging for one of the biggest titles on the darting calendar.
“Winning the Players Championship event was a huge boost for me,” said Whitlock, the world number four.
“I’d had a tough start to the year with the Premier League but I’d felt my best form was coming back towards the end of that and I’ve played some good darts since.
“With the standard of player on the circuit now, winning a tournament is a great achievement so I was thrilled to get one under my belt.
“It’s put me in high spirits to head up to Blackpool and I can now put everything in to trying to have a really good win in the Matchplay.”
Seeded fourth for the World Matchplay, Whitlock is eyeing a sustained run of form during the second half of the season to cement his position at the top of the sport and started in style by reaching the final of the European Darts Trophy in Germany last weekend.
“Every player has a little dip in form at some stage and mine came during the early part of the year,” added 45-year-old Whitlock.
“I feel as though I’m through that now and I can look forward with real excitement.
“There are huge tournaments still to come this year and it doesn’t get much bigger than the World Matchplay and the World Championships.
“If I can have a good run at Blackpool, it would really set me up for the rest of the year.”
Whitlock begins his quest for glory on the opening night of the World Matchplay when he takes on Kevin Painter.
Article courtesy of Simon Whitlock’s sponsors Leyland Paints.
Whitlock will be joined at the World Matchplay 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.