DARTS: A CHILDHOOD dream has turned into reality for a Southam youngster with an eye for success, writes Josh Green.
Ted Evetts qualified for the PDC World Darts Championship on Monday, November 27, after after beating off a field of 256 in Milton Keynes.
The 20-year-old, whose biggest moment on the oche thus far came at last year’s Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, will now have a shot at claiming the World Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace throughout the festive season.
Evetts stormed through the opening qualifying rounds before defeating Robbie Green after initially falling 2-0 down.
A pair of 5-3 victories over the experienced Ian Moss and former World Masters runner up Jeffrey De Graaf took him into the semi-finals.
He then won three consecutive legs on his way to defeating Chris Quantock to book his spot in the sport’s most prestigious competition.
The former Southam College student rounded off a sensational day by beating former PDC top ten player Brendan Dolan.
Two 180s and some commanding finishing gave him a four-leg cushion, before Dolan got his first leg on the board.
The Northern Irishman would go missing in the following leg, Evetts punishing some sloppy darts and nailing double top to settle his place in the first round.
His qualification to the global stage follows years of practise and dedication to the board.
He first played county darts for Warwickshire before progressing to the PDC development and challenge tour in 2015, where he has since found further success.
Despite losing all three group stage matches at the 2016 Grand Slam of Darts, he then went on to finish fifth on the Challenge Tour and gained crucial experience in front of the TV cameras.
Speaking to the PDC after booking his spot in the opening round of the World Championship, Evetts said he was over the moon to be in the hat.
He said: “I played brilliantly all day. It just shows age isn’t everything to go by in darts.
“It’s every players dream to be up there and I’ve achieved it. It means the world.”
Evetts’ first round appearance will earn him £11,000.
The youngster will face Gerwyn Price in the opening round of the PDC World Darts Championship, which starts on Thursday, December 14.
