Wolfie insists he’s nothing to prove on ‘the other side’

Darts - Grand Slam of Darts

Martin ‘Wolfie’ Adams insists he has nothing to prove in the SINGHA Beer Grand Slam of Darts that gets underway in Wolverhampton on Saturday (November 7). For the first time, Adams has entered the tournament that brings together the best of the PDC and the BDO.

Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor heads to the Civic Hall as the defending champion and in the eight-year history of the Grand Slam, Scott Waites is the only BDO player who has lifted the trophy.

Adams, a three-time BDO world champion, said: “Some people seem to think I’m playing in a lesser organisation and I’m not.

“I’m as good as any of the players in this tournament. I’m one of the big boys. If you Google ‘Grand Slam of Darts,’ my name is in just about every headline. “Why is that? “My record speaks for itself and it will all come down to who plays their best darts on the day. If it’s me, I’ve got a chance.”

The bookmakers rate Adams at around 50/1 to win the trophy, behind the likes of favourite Michael van Gerwen, a dramatic winner of the European championship last weekend, Taylor and PDC world champion Gary Anderson.

Adams has been placed in Group B, along with No 8 seed Ian ‘Diamond’ White, a cool-headed, heavy-scoring thrower from the Potteries, and ex-BDO world champions Jelle Klaasen and Steve Beaton.

Klaasen claims he’s throwing better now than when he won the world championship at the Lakeside in 2006, while Beaton has happy memories of the Grand Slam of Darts having scalped Taylor in the quarter-finals five years ago, his best result of recent years.

Group matches are played over the best of nine legs and the top two players in each of the eight groups will go through to the last 16.

“There are no easy groups,” said Adams. “There are no mugs there. You only qualify for the Grand Slam of Darts if you’ve done well.

“I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’ve known people like Ian White and Steve Beaton for years, but haven’t seen them for a while. It will be good to see them again.”

The best-of-nine legs format in the group stages means a quick start is crucial.

“Every player has their preferred format,” said Adams, “but it’s best not to think about that too much.

“I’ve played over the best of nine legs many times and I know you have to be quick out of the blocks, get on top , then keep pushing on.”