Colin Osborne is preparing for one of the biggest weekends of his career as he fights to win a prized place at next month’s World Grand Prix in Dublin.
It is more than four years since Osborne has missed out on playing in a TV ‘Major’ but that is the stark reality for the Unicorn ace as he gets ready for a huge Players Championship double-header in Holland.
The former Championship League Darts winner and UK Open runner-up is battling to qualify for Dublin through the Players Championship Order of Merit, having slipped out of the elite top 16 in the PDC World rankings.
“It has been a real wake up call for me,” he admitted.
“I maybe became a bit complacent and have paid the price, so it is now up to me to put it right. I have been practicing and playing well and I go to Holland full of confidence.”
After reaching the last 16 at the World Championship when he lost to Raymond van Barneveld, Osborne was comfortably placed at 12th in the world, but has been on a steady slide since then as he was defending a lot of money from two years ago on the PDC Order of Merit.
“I have never known it so competitive,” Osborne said. “It is great for the sport and I will get back up there soon….I guarantee it!”
“But look at Mervyn King, Colin Lloyd and Ronnie Baxter….they have all suffered too. It really is dog eat dog nowadays with so much at stake!”
Osborne is now 20th in the world rankings, and as it stands, he hasn’t qualified for the World Grand Prix through the Players Championship Order of Merit.
The qualification criteria for Dublin sees the top 16 in the world guaranteed places, the top two Irishman in the rankings, plus 14 from the Players Championship Order of Merit.
Dutchman Co Stompe is currently holding onto that 14th and last qualifying spot - £400 ahead of Osborne and Steve Beaton.
So, the Derby man has two tournaments in Nuland to win his place at the Grand Prix.
“The last time I was in this position was before the World Matchplay…..I headed for Nuland knowing that I had to succeed to qualify for Blackpool. I reached the quarter-finals on both days and that £2,000 made sure I qualified for the Matchplay. If I can do at least that, I will get myself to Dublin!”
And you can get news on events in Nuland right here on the Unicorn website
BY STUART PYKE (twitter @stuartpykesport)
Photo courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC