ROBERT’S GOING FOR GOLDFISH
Thornton puts his title tilt down to rubbish memory
ROBERT THORNTON has turned from terrier dog to goldfish to farm a second Unibet World Grand Prix title.
The Ayrshire ace is in line for a repeat of his 2015 triumph after a run to the last eight.
Thornton can reach the semis with victory over Daryl Gurney tonight and says his fishlike memory is ideal to help him through the nerves of having to start and end on a double.
The Scot has beaten Kim Huybrechts and Dave Chisnall in deciding legs and said: “I’m getting a right earbashing off the missus.
“She’s giving me grief for leaving it to the last dart to get through. I just like to give everyone a heart attack. It’s the Scottish way, isn’t it? We never do it easy.
“I love this tournament because it is such a good leveller. You can’t relax for one second.
“The double start means not one leg is guaranteed for any player in the world – we’ve already seen that. It’s a very hard game mentally and that probably suits me because I just don’t let anything affect me.
“I can have a shocking leg and miss nine darts at doubles but I forget it pretty quick.
“I must have some sort of goldfish memory on stage – that must be the only advantage of having such a rubbish memory. Maybe top golfers have that same mentality – if you make a mess of one hole you’ve got to get it out of your system, clear your mind and just focus on the next one straight away.
“Every new leg is a clean slate – I can play rubbish then like a world champion. I’ve always had the ability to keep going. I annoy other players because I just keep throwing.”
John Henderson is also in quarter-final action against Raymond van Barneveld after seeing off reigning champ and world No.1 Michael van Gerwen plus Alan Norris.
The Highlander said: “I’ve been the laziest I’ve ever been for a big tournament. Maybe that’s my new game plan for the future.
“I’ve just laid in my bed, got up, had some breakfast and done nothing. I didn’t even practise until I got to the venue before playing Alan. That seems to be working for me and if it ain’t broke.
“I’ve been the nearly man for so many years. I’ve tried everything to break that bad luck habit. I’ve tried to get fit by eating differently and changing my lifestyle – I’ve been cycling and all sorts but nothing has worked really.
“Every PE teacher will hate me. They tell kids every day of the week to work hard, eat well and keep fit. Then here I am saying I’ve been the laziest I’ve ever been and I’m in the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix.”