Jamie Hughes: I can win World Matchplay
Black Country darts ace Jamie Hughes believes he can win the Betfred World Matchplay taking place at Winter Gardens later this month.
The Tipton thrower, who is nicknamed Yozza, landed his first senior PDC title at the Czech Darts Open on Sunday.
Hughes, who only won his tour card in January, sensationally secured his Winter Gardens debut with an 8-3 defeat of Stephen Bunting in Prague.
That victory netted him £25,000 in prize money – his biggest payday to date.
It also secured his place in Blackpool for the World Matchplay which starts on July 20.
And the 33-year-old believes his first senior win is just the starts of things to come.
“To come out of nowhere and force myself into the World Matchplay is a bit of a fairytale story,” he said.
“Winning the Czech Darts Open ranks as probably my biggest achievement in darts, it doesn’t feel real.
“Michael van Gerwen, an all-time great, was in the field for the event, yet I’m the one who came away with the trophy.
“I never go into any tournament saying I’m going to win this or that, I just say to myself ‘be the best you and they’ll have to play well to beat you’.
“Earlier in the year I was posting massive averages and losing, but recently I’ve been winning with low averages, so it’s all about hitting doubles.
“Hopefully I can kick on now. I’m hoping that this is the start of big things for me starting in Blackpool. I can win the World Matchplay, if you look at the stats I’m as good as anyone so why not?”
