Excited Simon Whitlock is aiming to make the most of a rare taste of home advantage when big time darts heads Down Under this week.
The 44-year-old Australian is now happily based in Waterlooville and enjoying his English roots.
But the Sydney Darts Masters will be held in Luna Park from Thursday until Saturday, and Whitlock is relishing the opportunity to perform in a major tournament in his homeland.
“I love England and am really happy living here but Australia will always be home,” said the world number four.
“To have the opportunity to play in what is a massive tournament over there is going to be very special.
“It’s a high-class field and if I could win in Australia it would be one of the highlights of my career.”
Whitlock has spent the last three weeks Down Under and has already joined compatriot Paul Nicholson in setting a new world record for hitting a bullseye from the furthest distance.
He is one of eight seeds for the World Series of Darts tournament alongside the likes of Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld. The field will be completed by eight qualifiers.
And Whitlock is hoping he can produce a big performance to restore Australian sporting pride after the British Lions won the summer’s big rugby union series against the Wallabies and England’s cricket team retained the Ashes.
“It’s not gone great sport’s wise for Australia over the last few months so hopefully I can put that right,” he added.
“It’s going to be really tough but my form in the last few tournaments before the little break we have just had was really good.
“If I can continue that I will have every chance.”
In association with Leyland Paints.