Alan Soutar has opened up on his World Cup of Darts ambitions after producing another strong showing at this year’s Cazoo World Darts Championship.
Soutar reached the last 16 at Alexandra Palace for the second straight year, courtesy of impressive wins over two-time TV title winner Daryl Gurney and UK Open champion Danny Noppert.
The 44-year-old also defeated Australian debutant Mal Cuming in his opener, before succumbing to German history-maker Gabriel Clemens in round four.
Soutar’s exploits in the capital event saw him break into the world’s top 32 for the first time, as he continues to make impressive strides in the sport.
“I’ve got into the world’s top 32 inside two years,” reflected Soutar, a quarter-finalist at November’s Grand Slam of Darts.
“I’m not sure how many players have done that in the past. It won’t be that many, so I’m happy with that.
“I want to stay in the top 32 though. I want to take on these top guys more often. I want to be better against them, because I’m not good enough, and I need to be better.”
Despite his remarkable rise, Soutar conceded his World Championship campaign was tinged with regret, following his 4-1 defeat to Clemens in the last 16.
Soutar produced a stirring comeback to stun Noppert in round three, although he was unable to repeat the feat against the German number one, who saw his fairy-tale run curtailed by Michael Smith in the semi-finals.
“I need to re-focus and take stock of what’s happened in the last two years,” added Soutar.
“It was a missed opportunity [against Gabriel], but I’ve been in the last 16 twice at the World Championship, which is something incredible for me.
“I know I can play darts; I just don’t have that killer edge at the minute.
“It’s not about experience. I’ve played darts for 30 years. Maybe I need to dedicate more time to it, but I think it’s learning to play on these kind of stages.”
Soutar is one of the few top 32 players to balance his darting commitments with a full-time job, having worked as a firefighter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Dundee for 18 years.
He also helps to train guide dogs alongside his partner, Amanda, but having already made his mark on the big stage, he has designs on climbing the darting ladder over the coming years.
However, after Peter Wright and Gary Anderson suffered third round exits at Alexandra Palace, Soutar was left flying the flag for Scotland, which proved to be a burden rather than an incentive.
“I tell everybody it’s a hobby, but I feel the pressure from Scotland,” admitted Soutar.
“Because Gary and Peter both went out, I felt massive pressure, and I could feel it on social media.
“Everybody was wishing me all the best and urging me on to do something special, and it just didn’t happen, but that’s life.”
Soutar will return to action when the new ProTour season gets underway in Barnsley next month, before he makes his first televised appearance of the new season at March’s UK Open in Minehead.
The Scot is determined to consolidate his place in the world’s top 32 in 2023, and he also harbours dreams of making his World Cup of Darts debut in June.
Soutar is currently the third highest-ranked Scot in the PDC, although Anderson’s third round defeat at Ally Pally saw him slip outside the world’s top 20 for the first time since 2009.
Anderson – who celebrated World Cup success alongside Wright in 2019 – is still £74,000 clear of Soutar on the Order of Merit, but the firefighter is still daring to dream.
“Of course it’s an ambition to represent your country, but it’s not in my hands,” continued Soutar.
“I would bite both of my arms off to play, but I would need one of them!
“I’ve represented Scotland in the BDO and the WDF system, and to do it in the best place in the world, in the PDC, that would be better than anything I’ve done so far.”