AMERICAN Roger Carter has revealed that a conversation with PDC Chairman Barry Hearn at last year's World Series of Darts has inspired his return to the professional game.
Carter was one of America's leading darts players during the 1990's, competing in four World Championships before drifting out of the game.
However, he came back to prominence as one of the 16 American Qualifiers for last year's World Series of Darts.
He lost 6-1 to Roland Scholten in the first round of the tournament, but left the Mohegan Sun determined to make his mark in darts' new professional era.
"I was out of the game for about four years and the last year has been tough, really tough," said Carter.
"But after Barry Hearn told me I was a bit old to get back into it he inspired me!
"At first, the World Series was a motivation for me because I felt like I let myself down.
"It was inexperience and lack of time on the board but that's finished now and I know what I've got to do now."
Carter has competed in the last three Blue Square UK Open Regional Finals, and spent a fortnight in England practising ahead of last weekend's event in Manchester.
It paid off, with Carter reaching the last 32 to win £150 and ensure a place in the televised finals in Bolton this June.
"I'm definitely pleased with that," added the 46-year-old from Alabama. "It's what I came over for.
"I spent three weeks over in England, it was a long three weeks but I've accomplished what I wanted to.
"I'm trying to make it back onto television in the big events. I'll be there for the US Open in May too and I'm looking to redeem myself from the World Series.
"I've had a lot of time this year to better the way I've been throwing, get more practice in and work on a few things so hopefully I can do a lot better."
Carter will be joined by fellow Americans John Kuczynski and Ray Carver in Bolton, and he admitted: "In a way they have inspired me because I see the way they are doing things.
"I've kind of been there and done that, and think I can perhaps do it a bit better the second time around."