Robert Owen has kept his PDC tour card in sensational fashion by beating Ricky Evans before screaming in delight. Evans who is known for being the quickest tungsten thrower in the sport globally, took on Owen in a barnstorming clash to open the evening session on Sunday at the hallmark PDC event. Evans has only ever reached the round of 32 in his best ever finish in the tournament, and was looking to navigate that hoodoo against Welsh opposition.
As ever, the showman lit up the North London venue with an epic change of walk-on, dancing on to stage to Madonna's 'Like A Prayer'. But it was Owen who was left overjoyed, as he picked up a sensational 4-2 win, turning around the deficit to pick up the triumph. It meant the Welshman kept his PDC tour card, and will appear on tour next year.
He is now at 59th in the rankings, and is unlikely to be caught after reaching the next stage. He roared at the crowd: "I will keep my tour card now." Owen then taunted the largely English crowd, saluting his Welsh supporters, which drew large boos.
He then added: "The last game was the biggest game of my life, but this one really was. He's a great player, now can I say it? 'Now, I've retained my tour card!'. "Throughout I was saying 'I'm here' in Welsh.
I'm here for my family and to give us a good life. That is what I'm here for and hopefully I'll do the same in the next round, but I don't care." "I can do a lot better than that.
I've averaged 105-106 and 115-116 and I know I've got a lot more i.
