COLIN LLOYD will miss the West Tyrone Open this weekend to get treatment on his bad back - after winning what he called his hardest ever game against Peter Manley on Thursday.
Lloyd opened his account in the Holsten Premier League Darts with a gritty 8-6 win over Manley in Sunderland.
However, the world number one was in clear discomfort throughout before sealing the win with a ten-dart leg in the decider.
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"It was the toughest game I've ever played," Lloyd told www.planetdarts.tv.
"The sweat was pumping, I was getting pain shooting down both legs and I had to dig in.
"It was punishing and gruelling up there. I've had pains in my back before, but never when I've had to perform on a dartboard.
"Peter's a great player, he has won big titles in his time and as soon as I got to seven I was happy because I knew I couldn't get beaten. To then stick in a ten-darter in the last leg was a bonus.
"It was tough but luckily enough I've got through it and hopefully I can get it sorted out now.
"It's two points and a win, and it doesn't matter how it comes. I'm up and running and looking forward to the rest of the tournament now."
Lloyd was hoping to win a third successive West Tyrone Open title when that event takes place this weekend.
But he admitted that, with the Holsten Premier League Darts moving to Aberdeen next week, he needed to get treatment on his back instead of playing in the tournament.
"I love going there and playing in the event, Ronnie Boyle has looked after me I've won it for the last couple of years, but I've got to look at the bigger picture," he said.
"There's lots of money on offer at the minute and lots of big games coming up, and I've got to make sure that Jaws is ready to keep biting!
"I'm off the mark now. My confidence is good, I had a lovely Irish Masters and I'm playing well.
"I felt as though I could have played brilliantly against Peter, I've been oozing confidence but then my back gave me the niggle.
"But I think I showed that even when I'm under the cosh a little bit I can still throw some quality darts and I'm ready now for the rest of the year."
Another player to miss the tournament will be world number seven Kevin Painter, who was admitted to hospital this week with gall stones.
He has since undergone surgery and was released on Friday, and hopes to be back in action shortly.
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