FORGOTTEN DARTERS: 'Cool Hand' Scott Rand who reached Players Championship semi-finals in 2011

In this column, we regularly reminisce about Forgotten Darters from the past. Today is the turn of Scott Rand who missed match darts to reach the final at the 2011 Players Championship Finals.

Born in 1975, he made his debut in 2010 in the PDC and at the UK Open, he won two games before losing out to Tony Broughton in the Last 96.

Thrill at Players Championship Finals

In 2011, the PDC organized a Q-School for the first time, but Rand was high enough in the world rankings to be immediately assured of a Tour Card. Later that year, he delivered the best performance of his career. At the Players Championship Finals, he defeated Jamie Caven in the opening round. In the second round he really caused a sensation by beating Raymond van Barneveld 8-6. Rand was on a roll as James Wade also lost out in the quarterfinals. Still, the tournament ended on a sour note for Rand. In the semifinals, he missed two match darts to reach his first major final. In the end it was Kevin Painter who won and later on would also win the tournament.

In 2012, Rand made his PDC World Championship debut. After he easily beat Andy Smith in the opening match, he lost out to Colin Lloyd. He was meanwhile on the edge of the top 32 of the world ranking and a year later he qualified for the PDC World Championship again. In the first round he met Kim Huybrechts, who just before had lost the final of the Players Championship Finals. Rand was behind 2-1, but in a very high-quality game he managed to turn the situation around and win 3-2. Just like the year before, the second round was again his final stop, this time Wes Newton was too strong 4-0 towards the peak of his powers.

Rand reached the semifinals at a Pro Tour tournament for the first time later that year. He defeated Michael van Gerwen, among others. In those semifinals, however, he lost 6-0 against Simon Whitlock.

Last tournament in 2014

At the beginning of July 2014, he played his last tournament in the PDC, after that not much has been seen of the former truck driver.