Darts: Ross aims for top in world tourney
GREENHILLS darts don Ross Montgomery will launch his assault on the BDO Darts World Championship on January 5 and ‘the Boss’ insists he is ‘in it, to win it.’ The 46 year-old arrower has been in fine form in 2008, winning the England Open and British Classic titles as well as reaching the last eight of the Winmau World Masters earlier this month.
After beating world number two and Lakeside favourite Gary Anderson in both finals, number ten seed Ross has every confidence of going all the way on the sport’s biggest stage.
The Calderwood Inn player said: "I’m playing well and I’m hitting high averages.
"I’ve won a few tournaments already this year with the same lads in it so I have every chance. I’m going down there to win it."
Local handyman Ross, who also turns out for East Renfrewshire at county level, takes on Wales captain Martin Phillips in the first round in what promises to be a titanic celtic clash live on BBC television.
Left-hander Phillips, who recently overtook former world champion Leighton Rees’ Welsh caps record, was not the draw Monty had hoped for, but the East Kilbride man believes his opponent will be feeling exactly the same.
He continued: "Martin didn’t want to play me and I didn’t want to play Martin, but we’ll just have to get on with it.
"I’ve spoken to a few players already that are pleased they have avoided me in the first round, because of the form I’ve been in this year."
Dad-of-three Ross will be taking the whole Montgomery clan to the Surrey venue for this year’s championship, after promising his dart-fanatic daughters they would be in the crowd if he qualified. Ross will be hoping for an extended run in the tournament – for the sake of his bank balance at least.
He said: "My daughters Gemma and Alicia play darts to help with their numbers and I promised I’d take them and my son Scott if I made it this year.
"The hotel’s free as long as I’m in the competition so I’d better win a few matches!"
Bookmakers have made Scot Gary Anderson the pre-tournament favourite, and Ross thinks this could be the year for his international team mate to live up to his billing.
He said: "I think Gary’s had a psychological problem with the Lakeside stage but he’s over that now. He’s a prolific darts player, everyone can see that."
Monty is sixth favourite to be crowned world champion at a best priced 20-1, and despite claiming not to follow the odds himself, he hopes to make someone a tidy sum with his performances.
He said: "I don’t gamble at all. I know I’m about sixth favourite but with the Lakeside stage that can all go out the window.
"There could be a surprise package in there somewhere – hopefully it’s me."
Story By: Eastkillbride Mail
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