Luke Woodhouse is confident of making his mark on his double-start debut next week, after securing his BoyleSports World Grand Prix qualification in last-gasp fashion.
Woodhouse will be one of three debutants starring in this year’s 32-player event, which takes place at Leicester's Morningside Arena from October 2-8.
The Worcestershire thrower sealed his qualification with a superb run to the quarter-finals of last weekend’s Hungarian Darts Trophy – his best showing on the European Tour stage.
Woodhouse overcame World Champions Rob Cross and Peter Wright in his run to the last eight in Budapest, which saw him secure the final spot in this year’s double-start showpiece ahead of Gian van Veen and Ricardo Pietreczko.
“I had never made the quarter-finals on the European Tour before; it’s magic,” said Woodhouse, who finished above Van Veen on countback on the ProTour Order of Merit, after the Dutchman lost to Damon Heta in the last 16.
“Coming into the weekend, I knew that a quarter-final was going to have to be the absolute minimum, and then results were going to have to go my way.
“I was nervous watching Gian play against Damon [Heta]. Gian is such a good player, he can beat anybody.
“When you’re playing, it’s in your hands. When you’re not, you are relying on somebody else to do the job for you.”
Woodhouse will make his World Grand Prix debut against two-time runner-up Dave Chisnall on Tuesday, with sixth seed Luke Humphries or 2017 winner Daryl Gurney awaiting the winner.
Chisnall will head to Leicester fresh from winning two ranking titles in the space of a week, although Woodhouse is relishing the task in hand.
“Beating Rob Cross and Peter Wright – two World Champions - it was a good achievement, but I’m not done yet,” added Woodhouse, who landed a nine-darter in Friday's Players Championship 24.
“I have been playing some really good stuff recently and I’m full of confidence at the moment.
“Mentally, I am in a really good place with my game. I feel like I’m maturing as a player and taking the knocks as well as taking the wins.”
Woodhouse’ confidence has grown following a breakthrough 2023 campaign, which saw him feature in a maiden PDC ranking final at Players Championship 14 in June.
This landmark run proved to be the catalyst for his World Grand Prix qualification, and it also contributed to a shift in mindset that has elevated his game to another level.
“I think it is just about having that belief in yourself,” continued Woodhouse, currently ranked 43rd on the PDC Order of Merit.
“Over the last few seasons, you walk into the room and see all these big players, and you’re thinking: ‘Who have you got in the first round?’
“Now I think if I play well, I can beat anybody, and making a final on the ProTour made me stand back and realise that I can mix it with the best.
“It has taken a little bit longer for my belief to progress, but at this moment in time, I believe I can go on and do really good things now.”
Listen to the full exclusive interview with Luke in the latest edition of The Darts Show Podcast - available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts - or read in the official 2023 BoyleSports World Grand Prix programme.