KEVIN McDINE has set his sights on breaking into the PDC's top 32, following his success at the PartyBets.com Grand Slam of Darts.
The 22-year-old made a sensational debut on the televised stage at Wolverhampton last week, winning through to the semi-finals of the Grand Slam as an ITV Wildcard Qualifier.
McDine only joined the PDC circuit at the end of March, when he reached the semi-finals of the UK Open Midlands Regional Final, and is already 58th in the Order of Merit.
He narrowly missed out on a place in the PDC World Championship through the Players Championship Order of Merit, but is hoping to continue his progress next year.
"I've been a member for seven months and I'm enjoying every minute," he said.
"You have to do everything you can, every game's a battle and hopefully you come out on top.
"It's a shame to miss the World Championship, but there's the German Darts Championship next week and hopefully I can make my mark there too."
McDine was within a whisker of a place in the final of the Grand Slam of Darts, taking Andy Hamilton to a final leg on Saturday.
He was left with 50 in the decider, only to hit a single 15 instead of ten, failing to leave a double and allowing Hamilton to check out.
"I had my chance and I blew it, really," admitted McDine. "That big 15 was crucial, and that was my first proper slack dart of the week.
"I don't know what happened - when it left my hand I thought it was going in, and then it dipped into 15!"
McDine, originally from Newcastle but now based in Northamptonshire, was proud of his display against Hamilton, after also seeing off James Wade and Jelle Klaasen earlier in the event.
"It's a battle against him," he said. "Andy isn't sixth in the world for nothing and I enjoyed every minute of it.
"It was a brilliant week, beating James Wade is especially memorable.
"A 105 average against him is the tip of my career so far, and if I can keep that going I could do well."