Biography
He is surely one of the best 10 players in the world and now Kevin Painter has set his sights on proving it over the next 12 months.
‘The Artist’ has had more than enough of hovering around 14, 15 or 16 in the PDC Order of Merit and believes it’s high time he aimed high!
“I know what I am capable of and it’s fair to say that it’s been a frustrating year or two. The rest is up to me but I have the top 10 in my sights and I have no doubt that I can achieve it,” he said.
“I know that I can be up there with the best in the business and I won’t settle for second best!” he added.
Painter’s ability has never been in doubt but too often, his results haven’t produced the rewards, as he continually seems to end up playing either Taylor or Barneveld in the big tournaments.
“That’s annoying but it is in my own hands to change that and I will.”
The Unicorn star’s terrific run to the 2008 World Championship semi-finals appeared to signal the renaissance of ‘The Artist’ but he couldn’t kick on from that.
12 months later, he ran into the unstoppable Taylor in the 3rd Round at the Alexandra Palace and it ended a disappointing year in the TV ‘Majors’
In the UK Open, he lost his first match of the event against Colin Osborne and a 1st Round exit followed in Las Vegas – but Painter still produced one of his best performances for some time – averaging 104 in losing by 6 legs to 4 to Taylor.
He also fell at the first hurdle at the World Matchplay – losing to Tony Eccles – and at the World Grand Prix in Dublin, Painter threw away a two set lead as he lost 3-2 to Colin Lloyd – missing three match darts along the way.
Painter was beaten by Peter Manley in the 1st Round at the European Championships and failed to qualify from his group at the Grand Slam of Darts II
On the floor during 2008, he lost a Players Championship Final in Bristol to Dennis Priestley and also reached one semi-final and five quarter-finals on the PDC Pro Tour.
Nobody has ever doubted the immense talent….he just has to transform that into big results and tournament wins.
2009 could well be a defining year in the career of Kevin Painter.
He has already reached a semi-final and quarter-final on the Pro Tour and that was followed by a good showing at the Circus Tavern in the Players Championship Finals, where he was unlucky to lose a last leg decider against James Wade.
Now the aim for Painter is to reclaim that prized place in the world’s top 10 and win more tournaments over the next couple of years….with a little entertainment on the way!
Darts fans love Painter’s attitude and he has always worn his heart on his sleeve….he is a fighter….with Kevin Painter, you get what it says on the tin!
It was in 2004 that Painter shot into the spotlight when he gave Phil Taylor a real run for his money in the World Championship Final at the Circus Tavern….and he so nearly got to his second World Final at the Alexandra Palace in 2008.
He enjoyed a terrific tournament. In the 1st Round, he lost only two legs against Gary Mawson, then came a whitewash of Chris Mason, followed by one of the best displays of his career against Raymond Van Barneveld.
Painter slammed in nine 180s in ending Barney’s reign as World Champion and followed that up with a convincing quarter-final victory against Adrian Lewis…..but by his own admission, he saved his worst performance for the biggest game – losing to World Champion in waiting John Part in the semi-finals.
But it’s all part of the master-plan!
He has also reached the semi-finals of the prestigious German Darts Trophy and in November 2007, as a wildcard, he got through to the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam in Wolverhampton, where missed doubles cost him dearly against Gary Anderson.
Hugely talented, highly respected and ready to hit the heights again…..Painter’s career path has also taken a turn for the better after he upped sticks and moved house - going from Cambridgeshire to Daventry in the West Midlands. He is practicing a lot with fellow Team Unicorn star Colin Osborne and is very much settled with partner Janine and daughter Madison.
We have already touched on the big highlight of his career so far - back in 2004, when Painter came agonisingly close to adding his name to Team Unicorn’s World Champions roll of honour. In one of the greatest finals ever seen, Painter lost 7-6 to Phil Taylor in a sudden-death shoot-out, after being 4 sets to 1 in front.
Taylor was again his nemesis at the 2006 Ladbrokes.com World Championships – this time at the quarter-final stage.
He has suffered some injuries during his career and it seems that every time he is knocked down or knocked out, Painter dusts himself down and gets on with the job he loves – playing darts and there is no doubt that he will be a winner again very soon.
Painter’s last tournament win came in January 2006, when he beat Colin Lloyd to claim the UK Open North East Regional but he is knocking on the door at most of the tournaments on the circuit. A deserved place in the 2007 International Darts League in Holland was a huge morale-booster for ‘The Artist’. He only missed out on a place in the 1st Round proper on leg difference – pipped at the post by Gary Robson.
“With the support of Team Unicorn, I know I can perform on the biggest stage when it really matters,” he said.
In 2007, he came agonisingly close to a live TV 9-darter….he lost a tight 6th Round match to Lloyd in the UK Open at The Reebok but after eight perfect darts, just missed the D12 for a slice of history.
“I just can’t wait to show everyone the real Kevin Painter once again!”
It’s as long ago as 2001 that Painter really announced his arrival in the big-time and not long after joining the ranks of the Professional Darts Corporation, he caused a sensation by beating Phil Taylor in the 1st Round of the World Grand Prix in Dublin.
And it wasn’t long before Unicorn came knocking at Painter’s door, recognising the huge potential. “It is great to be associated with such a prestigious company and I am determined to repay Unicorn’s loyalty with a major title,” he said.
There is no doubt that he is more than capable of winning a ‘Major’ TV crown.
But it is all a far cry from humble beginnings in the wide world of darts, when he started playing competitively as a 15-year-old. By the age of 19, he was playing for Essex and the rest, as they say, is history.
He uses customised 19 gm Unicorn Darts and continues to put in the hours on the practice board to achieve his goal. He is also one of the most popular players on the exhibition circuit, always in demand, performing between 50 and 60 exhibitions a year.
Painter’s other great passion in life is Ipswich Town Football Club, where he is a season-ticket holder.
But it is darts that dominate his life and the desire to add to Team Unicorn’s ever growing list of darts ‘Major’ titles.
There are those who firmly believe that Kevin Painter is destined to win one of darts’ big tournaments and ‘The Artist’ believes his own personal darting masterpiece is close to being completed!
He said: “My aim has to be to target the players ahead of me in the rankings and stop looking back in anger, as the song goes! I have great belief in my ability but sometimes let myself down mentally. It’s time to toughen up even more!”
Perhaps the next couple of years will see that landmark ‘big’ win for Painter.