By Ryan Segal
Tom Sykes says he feels he can “do some damage” as he prepares for his first UK Open as a Tour Card Holder.
The 33 year old from Yorkshire has taken to the professional tour like a duck to water, finding himself nestled in the qualifying spots for Minehead and Ally Pally after the first six Players Championship events.
The Castleford Tiger admitted he was pleased with his start to life on the tour, saying:
“I feel like it's going pretty well.
I've definitely started quite well.
I think I'm playing some of my best stuff, and I've been winning games and really, like you say, stamping my authority on the Pro Tour.”
This time last year, he showed the Pro Tour what it was missing with a 101 average against Thibault Tricole on the main stage on his PDC major debut – an experience he says he'll be using this weekend:
“I think just having stage experience in general is always a good thing.
I've had experience on stages through the Modus and stuff like that.
So to get that chance to play on the main stage at a major was massive.
And yeah, I played all right to be fair for my TV debut, didn't I?”
It was a relief for him not to have the thought of qualifying in his mind, with all Tour Card Holders automatically in the event:
“To think 'I've already qualified for it' - It's always a good thing to already know you're in it.
Last year I came through the Qualifiers - so to be to be classed as one of the elite players, one of the best 128 players in the world - That's a good little good little title to have.”
The main stage, as mentioned, was a good friend last year to Castleford's favourite son – and his goal for the tournament is to get back up there:“My first goal is to get to the open draw, I think.
And then hopefully if I get to round four, I can get a decent name on the main stage.
I've looked at the first three rounds and obviously I'm not looking past the first round yet - but I reckon I've got a decent little draw to do some damage in the first couple of rounds, so we'll see.”
He faces Sean Ryan in his opener – And Tom knows his threat better than most:
“I've known Sean Ryan for quite a while.
I've known him through him playing on the Challenge Tour, and I've played against him when he's played for Scotland.
I know that he's a quality player and I won't be taking him lightly on Friday.”
Tom Sykes begins his campaign against Sean Ryan on Stage 4 this coming Friday - You can shop his signature darts here.