A SUNDAY showdown opens Mark Webster’s tilt at global glory.
The Denbigh darts ace makes his first ever Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship appearance this Sunday afternoon, December 20.
He takes on 13th seed Mark Walsh, one of only a handful of players to defeat Phil Taylor this year, with both players on the oche at 3.20pm.
Former Clwyd county darts team manager Steve Gierke is confident that the former Lakeside World Professional darts champion can make his mark at London’s Alexandra Palace.
“I think his chances are always good. I always maintain that he is world class,” said Gierke.
“But obviously the big thing for Mark is getting past round one past Mark Walsh.
“The thing is with Mark he’s always capable of beating anybody.”
Walsh is odds-on with bookmakers to book a second round meeting versus either Andy Jenkins or 20th seed Peter Manley, with Webster generally a 5/4 punt to win Sunday’s match.
As for the tournament as a whole, Webster is widely viewed as a 100/1 shot with bookmakers for the championship, while his first round opponent Mark Walsh is largely rated as a 66/1 option.
It has been a tricky year for the Denbigh ace, who switched to the PDC from the BDO/WDF circuit back in February.
“Since joining the PDC he has been really unlucky with draws and that’s cost him quite a bit,” added Gierke.
“But once he gets on a run, Mark’s unstoppable.
“I do feel for the lad but he knows the standard is unbelievable.
“The funny thing is if you’re playing the good players you will play better.
“At the end of the day, everybody’s got to get past Mr Taylor!”
Fourteen-time world champion Phil Taylor is understandably the red-hot odds-on favourite to secure title number 15.
Should Webster make it through the opening stage, his second round opponent will be 20th seed Peter Manley or Andy Jenkins, while three-time world champion John Part could be Mark’s opponent should they both reach the third round.