STEVE FARMER will get his first taste of the double-start format in the Bodog.com World Grand Prix next week.
The 45-year-old from Shropshire qualified dramatically for the World Grand Prix recently, winning the final Players Championship before the 32 players competing in the £350,000 event were confirmed.
Farmer will take on Steve Brown in the first round of the World Grand Prix at the Citywest Hotel on Monday, which will be the first time he has encountered the format of both starting and finishing a leg with a double during his professional career.
"I've never played the double-start format in competition but I played it a bit in the pubs in my younger days and I don't think I should have too much trouble," he said.
"It's something different and it's good to have a tournament on TV with the double-start. Anyone can beat anyone and you've got to concentrate on getting that double straight away in your first three darts.
"It will be different for me but I'm looking forward to it."
Farmer's win over Kevin Painter in Holland saw him come from 4-2 down to win 6-4 with four successive 13-dart finishes, a result which jumped him up to 70th in the PDC Order of Merit.
The West Brom-born star, who is now based in Telford, only joined the PDC in February and has since become a full-time professional, and is reaping the rewards of his practice and fitness regime.
"I love it and it's a dream come true," he added. "My goal is to get as far as I can.
"I jumped from outside the top 100 to 70th with the win in Holland and the top 32 is my next target. If I can get there hopefully I can progress further but I'll just do my best.
"I've been working on my stamina and that's what's made the difference for me. I've really worked on it and it's paying off, and long may it continue.
"I was in landscape gardening before but darts is my living now. It was mainly to give the PDC a good go, and thankfully I've got a good sponsor in Jimmy Jones from Technogroup.
"If it wasn't for him it would be a lot harder but he's been good to me and it covers my entries and expenses.
"The prize money now is a big bonus and obviously relieves the pressure even more."
Tickets for the Bodog.com World Grand Prix cost from €20 (plus booking fee) and can be purchased from www.ticketgroup.ie or via 00353 (0) 818 33 33 44.