DAVID PLATT has overcome a heart scare to take his place against the world's top players at the Ladbrokes Sydney Darts Masters this week.
The 49-year-old Perth-based star will compete in his fourth successive Sydney Darts Masters event on Friday after qualifying through his form on the DPA Australian Grand Prix circuit this year.
Platt - who was born in the UK but emigrated to Australia in 2009 - has won six ranking events so far this year and sits just one point ahead of shooting star Corey Cadby on the DPA rankings.
However, the two-time World Championship qualifier has revealed that a heart condition in June left him fearing for his health, admitting: "It did scare me.
"I always think I'm 21, and to be diagnosed with a heart attack at my age scared the life out of me. Luckily I've had the all-clear, I can fly again and I'm in a good place.
"Mentally I'm in a strong place, but it brought things back into perspective. I've got a second chance and I'm taking it."
Perth-based Platt will return to the World Series of Darts stage on Thursday night as one of the eight Oceanic representatives who will come up against the eight PDC stars at The Star in Sydney, and is happy with his form after winning the recent NSW Masters event in Warilla.
"It's going good and I'm looking forward to it," added Platt, who will also compete in next week's TABtouch Perth Darts Masters. "We're playing the best in the world, and who wouldn't want to be where I am."
Platt has enjoyed a duel with rising star Cadby this year, with the youngster having won seven tournaments so far in his debut year on the DPA circuit - leaving the pair to battle for a William Hill World Darts Championship place in the remaining AGP events.
"I'm going to give it a massive push to the run-in to the end of the season and there's still points to play for," said Platt.
"Everyone's talking of Corey Cadby - he's in my opinion the best dart player currently in Australia, but he hasn't beaten me in the last four times I've played him which is testament to my game.
"He's doing what he does best, winning darts matches and he's winning them in fine fashion as well."
Tickets for the Ladbrokes Sydney Darts Masters are still available from Ticketek via www.ticketek.com.au .
For more information about The Star, visit www.star.com.au . Ticket holders can receive 15% off their total bill on the day of their ticket at the Harvest Buffet at The Star.