• Darts

Nine-dart hero Anderson secures PDC Tour place

ESPN staff
January 17, 2014
Kyle Anderson wowed the Alexandra Palace crowd with a nine-dart finish at the PDC World Championship in December © Getty Images
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Kyle Anderson has further backed his impressive performance at the PDC World Championship by winning a Tour card at 2014 Qualifying School in Wigan.

In December, Anderson famously hit a nine-dart finish on the Alexandra Palace stage during his first round defeat to Ian White.

It was the second perfect leg of the afternoon as, just 60 minutes before Anderson finished 141 for a share of £30,000, Terry Jenkins achieved the same on the biggest stage in world darts.

Now Anderson has ensured his headline-stealing performance at Ally Pally was not a one-off, becoming one of the first players to book their place on the 2014 Pro Tour.

The Australian saw off the likes of Joshua Priestley, Philip Wathen, Mick Bushby, Darren Whittingham and Stuart White before defeating former BDO world champion Christian Kist in the semi-final. He then beat Keegan Brown in the Wednesday's final, the first day of Q-School, which has attracted a record 360 entrants doing battle for a two-year card on the professional circuit.

"I'm almost lost for words - it's a very big day for me," Anderson told PDC.tv. "To come all the way over to England and to do this in the first day of Qualifying School, you just can't put a price on it.

"I was preparing myself for possibly four very hard days and when I walked into the venue and saw over 300 people, you realise just how tough it will be.

"I wanted to play well and I did that, and I really got on a roll towards the end. Playing Christian Kist was a big game and I was very much in the zone - someone said I hit seven 180s in as many legs, but I was only thinking about winning - and after that I couldn't underestimate Keegan.

"I'd said to my partner that we could possibly look to move over to the UK if I won a Tour Card, bringing her and my son with me, so we'll see if I can get the sponsorship for that now because I'd love to go all the way in the game."

Benito van de Pas, Antonio Alcinas, Andrew Gilding, Andy Parsons, Gerwyn Price and Dave Bird, Robert Owen, Tony Newell, Gary Stone, Matt Padgett and Tomas Seyler have also secured places on the professional tour.

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