Wizard hopes to weave his darts magic
DARTS: The Wizard is winging his way to Queensland in the hope of having one last darts battle with multiple world champion Phil The Power Taylor.
Simon Whitlock, the face of Australian darts for the best part of 15 years, has confirmed he will play in the inaugural International Pro Darts Showdown Series in January.
The two darts greats will line up in events in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville and Mackay.
And Whitlock also hopes the events will unearth the next Australian star.
“It’s great to see some talent from Aussie,” he said.
“I am so proud to be Australian and I am so proud to see some talent coming through the ranks.”
Whitlock will be joined by fellow Aussie Kyle Anderson, American No.1 John Kuczynski, South Africa’s best player Devon Petersen, Andy “the Hammer” Hamilton and former stars Russell Stewart and Jamie Harvey – a former world championship semi-finalist.
They will take on the best eight Australian up-and-comers who have to qualify to make the tournaments.
Whitlock, who has played in Germany and Belgium over the past couple of weeks as he tries to lift his world ranking of 13, said it would be good to get back on home soil and take the game to regional Australia.
“I do not get there (Australia) as often as I like due to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) schedule,” Whitlock, who was runner-up to Ireland’s Darryl Gurney in the recent World Grand Prix, said.
“It will be good to promote the pro game to our fans back home.
“I play these guys regularly, maybe not so much Phil this year as he is semi-retired.
“I always like challenges against any pros, but Phil is always special to play.”
Whitlock is part of an elite group of players who has played in both the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and PDC world championship finals.
He lost the in the BDO final to Welshman Mark Webster 7-5 in 2008 before moving back to the PDC and reaching the final in 2010.
There he went down to Taylor 7-3 but said he had no regrets about losing the decider as it proved to be a turning point for darts Down Under.
“I remember every game, even ones I lose,” he said.
“It was a great game for me, for PDC and for Aussie darts as I believe it put us on the world map.
“I am proud that I helped bring the worldwide game home and show we can compete against the world’s best players.
“I always give 100 per cent and this year I have worked extra hard on my game and results are now showing.”
Whitlock will also come up against another player who he has built up a healthy rivalry with down the years – Andy Hamilton.
The Aussie twice lost to the Englishman from seemingly unlosable positions – 15-8 up in the 2011 World Matchplay before losing 17-15 and 5-3 up in the PDC world final the following year and going on to lose 6-5.
The first of the International Pro Darts Showdown Series is at the RNA Convention Centre in Brisbane from January 10-11 next year before the showdown roadshow rumbles on to the Gold Coast Events Centre at the Gold Coast Turf Club on January 17-18.
Next the showdown will move to Townsville Stadium on January 24-25 before finishing off at the Mackay Entertainment Centre on January 27-28.
Tickets are on sale from Ticketek. Further details at www.prodartsshowdownseries.com.au.