COLIN OSBORNE believes that his display in the Blue Square UK Open has shown his calibre on the televised stage.
Osborne has made superb progress since becoming a professional in 2005, but his run to the UK Open decider on Sunday was his first major final.
Having only previously reached one televised semi-final, Osborne overcame Jason Clark, Wayne Jones, Raymond van Barneveld, Jamie Caven and Kevin Painter before losing 11-6 to Phil Taylor in the final.
The Derby ace, now 13th in the PDC Order of Merit, feels his display in Bolton has lifted his confidence and belief that he can challenge for major honours.
"Over the last six months in the floor tournament's I've been very consistent so I was in good spirits coming into the competition," said Osborne.
"It was for me to kick on and prove to myself that I can do it in front of the cameras, and I've done that.
"When I beat Raymond it was a great feeling, to get up on stage and prove to myself that I can do it with the best players in the world.
"I had some tough games, such as against Kevin Painter in the semis and Wayne Jones in the last 32.
"I'm just pleased that I proved to myself I can get up there and mix it."
Osborne's only win over Taylor came in a Players Championship in Bristol last June, and he admits he still has to improve to regularly defeat the world number one.
"I was over the moon to get to the final but you want to go all the way, and you get no change out of Phil," he said.
"You have to play your best darts not only to win it but to be with him all the time and he was too good in the final.
"If you're not 100 percent he will destroy you, which is why he is who he is and he's done what he has done."
Osborne's performance at the Reebok Stadium also earns him an invitation to compete in the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.
"It's a huge bonus," said the 33-year-old. "I've qualified for the Grand Slam for the next two years, which is important.
"But for myself to come and play on the big stage, I'm getting used to it and getting more experience in that situation it's a great feat to do that."