Robert Thornton Joins PDC

ROBERT THORNTON, the current BDO number one, has moved onto the Professional Darts Corporation circuit and joined the PDPA.

The Scottish star won the 2007 World Masters and this year^s Dutch Open, before recently coming through the Holsten Qualifiers to win a place in next month^s Blue Square UK Open.

Thornton, from Stevenston in Ayrshire, has now joined the Professional Dart Players Association and will play on the PDC circuit full-time from June.

He reached the quarter-finals of last weekend^s Welsh Open, and is currently ranked number one in the BDO system and number three in the WDF.

Thornton will follow up his appearance in the UK Open by competing in the two Players Championship events at Bristol in June in a late bid to win a place in the Stan James World Matchplay, before travelling to the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic Qualifiers at the end of the month.

"I^m excited about coming across to the PDC," said Thornton. "I^d reached number one in the BDO but I sat down with my wife and discussed it and thought it was time for a change.

"It was a big decision for me, but I^m looking forward to my career in the PDC now.

"I know quite a lot of players already and I^ve got on well with James Wade when we^ve done some exhibitions together this year, so it won^t be too hard to settle in."

He added: "My aim is initially to enjoy the Blue Square UK Open in Bolton and then break into the top 16 on the PDC Order of Merit.

"I^ll be trying my hardest to qualify for every major tournament from now on, and if I can play my best darts I should hopefully be able to do that."

Thornton^s World Masters win over Darryl Fitton last November saw him qualify for November^s PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.

And his Blue Square UK Open challenge will begin on Thursday June 5 at Bolton against Russia^s World Ladies Champion Anastasia Dobromyslova, live on Sky Sports.

Thornton did play in the Scottish Regional Final of the 2006-2007 UK Open, reaching the quarter-finals in Irvine.

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn said: "We welcome all quality players to the PDC and I applaud Robert^s ambition to play amongst the sport^s elite players for millions of pounds in prize money.

"I wish him the best of luck and he has already made clear his ambitions to be successful at the highest level of darts.

"He has done superbly well to become the number one in the BDO system and it^s exciting to see him accept the challenge of starting afresh on the PDC Pro Tour."