Lee Evans pre-UK Open Interview: 'I can't wait to get back on the main stage again'

In this interview we speak to Lee about the UK Open, Dimitri van den Bergh and Q-School.
Q. Thanks for agreeing to do an interview Lee, first of all how did you get into darts growing up??
I got into darts playing local league in cricklade. My dad used to play so started playing in the same team from the age of 16. Iv always enjoyed watching it as well so I was keen to play.
Q. The main reason for the interview today is to speak about you qualifying for the UK Open, how was it qualifying through the main PDC route as opposed to the Riley’s this year and what are your thoughts on your game currently going into Minehead??
It was definitely harder through the PDC route coming up against top quality players throughout. Rileys last year was tough but you can afford to have a bad game and still go through. PDC you can't. My game I've been happy with for months. Only thing I would say I need to improve are my doubles at the crucial times. They will have to be better at the open.
Q. You will be playing one of the rising stars of the PDC in Dimitri van den Bergh on the main stage in the first round, what do you make of the draw and are you looking forward to getting back onto the main stage??
First time I seen the draw I thought, that's got to be main stage. He's a fantastic player the last couple of years has shown that. But I'm confident of pulling off the win. I can't wait to get back on the main stage again.

Q. You played in Q-School recently failing to get your tour card, how would you assess the 4 days in the Wigan and the standard now compared to before when you’ve played??
Q-School was tough. I played good darts the four days. I ran into a couple of players who played great but I wasn't disappointed how I played. I lost on the third in the final game for a card. I had played so well all day but just come up short in missing a few doubles. I was gutted to miss out on a tour card cause I think I would've had a very good season the way I'm playing. But the standard was so high. You just have to look at a few players who I would have said would get a card now there playing beside me in the Challenge Tour.
Q. You also play Challenge Tour, are you looking to hopefully play in some of the Players Championship events through that and would you recommend players to play in these tournaments to gain experience??
Challenge Tour is very difficult. Probably more so than the Pro Tour. Simply for the reason you have to a semi / final to get the same money as a first round win on the pro tour. Six games is hard to win in Challenge Tour especially with standard of players who are there. It's a very good standard of darts on the challenge but it's brutal.
Q. Finally what would you say are your goals for the year to end the interview off??
A good year would be to have a good run in the UK Open. Then onto the Challenge Tour to get myself a few good results to play in the Euro and Pro Tour events. Top 2 is the target for this year in Challenge Tour which I'm capable of then that'll save going to Q-School next year.
Interview conducted by Samuel Gill, writer for Dartsnews.com