DORSET darts star Scott Mitchell is set for another first this week, when he competes on the PDC’s European Tour.
Despite not currently holding a tour card, the 53-year-old was eligible to enter an Associate Members qualifier in Germany for the Hungarian Darts Trophy, back in May.
There were two spots in the tournament up for grabs, Mitchell winning five matches to qualify, alongside ‘X-Factor’ Andy Boulton.
Coincidentally, those two have now been drawn to face each other in the first round in Budapest on Friday afternoon.
The pair have met twice this year, Boulton coming out on top on both occasions.
The winner will then progress through to face number one seed and former Lakeside world finalist Dave Chisnall on Saturday evening.
The tournament, which sees the winner pocket £30,000, is littered with stars including Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and reigning world champion Michael Smith.
Looking ahead to his Euro Tour debut at the MVM Dome, Mitchell told the Daily Echo: “That’s kind of massive for me.
“I managed to have a tour card for two years and then had a year I played on the tour most weekends because I was number one on the Challenge Tour, but didn’t qualify for one.
“I’m very excited. It’s another thing I haven’t done and those that have seen the PDC Euro Tours, you know that you’re back in with the very best in the world. It still shows that I’m doing it a bit.
“To go to Hungary and play is also very exciting.”
September has been a busy month for Mitchell.
The Bransgore ace has already competed in the World Seniors Matchplay in York, as well as travelling to Lancashire to represent his county in their first ever top-flight fixture.
“I actually fly back from Hungary on the Sunday and then fly out to Denmark to play for England in the WDF World Cup,” said Scotty Dog.
“It’s a manic time in the next few weeks. I’ve changed dart supplier in the last few months so all my new stuff was debuting at Barbican in the World Seniors Matchplay.
“It’s all extremely exciting, with adding the new equipment as well.
“Then I’ve got the last weekend of the Challenge Tour. If I can win a couple of those, I may have an outside chance of getting an automatic tour card.
“But it’s a very long shot, because I need to be in the top two.
“But if I had a stonking weekend and won two or three out of the five, then it is there to be had.
“We can only hope. That’s a long shot. When you haven’t won one all year, I suppose to win three in one weekend can be rude!”
He added: “It's a busy time. There’s no better way to find out about yourself than being busy with darts, there’s no two ways about that.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel