Danny Baggish has praised the support of former PDC star Wayne Mardle after winning his PDC Tour Card on Wednesday.
Baggish became the first American to win a Tour Card at the PDC Qualifying School with his success this week - although he proved a master of brinksmanship in Milton Keynes.
The Florida ace only won through to Final Stage on the last day of Stage 1B, and a run to the final on the fourth day of Final Stage saw him just secure his Tour Card.
"There's one player that, when I made a tweet about my doubles, reached out to me and that's Wayne Mardle," revealed Baggish.
"Wayne gave me a little advice about the doubles, and it helped. Everyone's been so kind to me with advice."
The former North American Championship winner has become a crowd favourite after appearing in two World Championships, and added that the support he received on social media was a boost during Qualifying School.
"I've gotten so many messages - I think I've got more fans in the UK than I do the States!" he added. "All the fans and positivity, everything that they did was phenomenal.
"I lost the first three days in either the first round or second round, and if it wasn't for them and myself believing, I don't think it would have happened."
Baggish admitted that he only realised after Wednesday's final against Scott Mitchell - which he lost 6-2 - that he had secured his Tour Card, conceding: "I put so much pressure on myself, I felt like I had to win it.
"I wear my emotions on my shoulder, it's unbelievable - a dream come true. I'm a professional dart player. I've always thought that I my scoring was always well, and as long as I could get my doubles in check I could compete with anyone.
"I believe it in myself and it's only the start. The first step is done. I'm looking to compete with the best and I can't wait to make it happen."
Baggish's debut appearance on as a PDC professional will come at Super Series 1, which will see the year's first four Players Championship events taking place in Bolton from February 25-28. Action from each day will be shown live on PDCTV - click here to subscribe.