SOME of the world’s top darts players are coming to Renfrewshire on Sunday. (April 26)
They’ll be competing in the 2015 Glasgow Masters Tournament being held at The ON -X Sports and Leisure centre, in Linwood.
It’s the first time the event has been held at The ON-X and a full house is expected to watch former world champions – Holland’s Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld step on to the oche.
The tournament also gives Scots darts star Robert Thornton the chance to show why he should have been selected to compete in this year’s televised Premier League series of darts matches.
The Ayrshire arrows ace narrowly missed out on being picked to play in the showpiece tournament.
Yesterday, Robert told how he plans to get one over two of the international darts champs who were selected for the Premier League, by beating them in the Glasgow Masters Tournament.
Robert will need to beat former world champions, van Gerwen and van Barneveld, plus Vincent van der Voort, if he’s to lift the Glasgow Masters title, being staged by Wulbur Darts Promotions.
He says: “I was disappointed not to be chosen to play in the Premier League and if you don’t get picked, you just want to keep on winning and prove them wrong.
“I’ll be up against guys like van Gerwen and van Barneveld, who are playing in this year’s Premier League, but that will give me an extra edge. You always want to beat the players in the Premier League.”
The top four players in the world are guaranteed a place in the Premier League with PDC chiefs and Sky TV choosing another six wildcard entries to compete in the 16-week series of matches.
At the time, Robert, from Saltcoats, Ayrshire, was ranked eighth and wasn’t picked to play.
But the 47-year-old, who is still number eight in the world, added: “My form is coming back at the right time.
“My finishing is spot on and I just need to brush up on my loose darts. I’ve been putting in plenty of extra practice, so I’m going out to win this tournament.
“There are some real top darts players competing at the ON-X on Sunday and I’m really looking forward to it.
“The crowd will see some cracking games of darts and a bit of banter between the players.”
Although not playing in the Glasgow Masters, current world champion, Scotsman, Gary Anderson will make an appearance at the tournament to meet fans, sign autographs and show them his world championship trophy.
Charlie McDougall, senior facilities manager at The On-X said: “This is a fantastic line-up of darts players with former world champions taking part.
“It’s the first time we’ve hosted the Glasgow Masters Tournament and we’re delighted to welcome the players and fans. It should be a great afternoon of darts.”
Promoter Wullie (correct) Burns added: “It’s going to be a fabulous day of darts and we’re all rooting for Robert to take the title.”
For tickets to see The 2015 Glasgow Masters, contact promoter Wullie Burns by email on wullieburns@hotmail.com or call 07772 615652.