Has the wound healed, physically and mentally? Cameron Menzies ready for a comeback after an eventful World Championship exit

Cameron Menzies makes his long-awaited return to the stage on Friday evening. For the Scot, it will be his first appearance since the much-discussed and dramatic end to his World Championship campaign at Alexandra Palace. The 36-year-old Scot hopes a strong display will boost his confidence ahead of qualifying for the Winmau World Masters, the first major ranking tournament of the new darts season.

Last year’s World Darts Championship ended on a sour note for Menzies. In the first round he surprisingly lost to English debutant Charlie Manby, a defeat that hit the fiery Scot hard. Immediately after the match, Menzies lost his composure and, out of frustration, struck his drinks table.

He sustained a serious wound to his right hand, so deep that a hospital visit proved necessary. The incident sparked plenty of reaction within the darts world and once again exposed Menzies’ emotional side, as he briefly lost his way.

The period after the Worlds was therefore entirely about recovery for the Scot, both physically and mentally. Menzies has since stated he is fully fit and ready to reignite his season. His first test comes Friday at The Battle of Four Nations in Twickenham, the iconic stadium that normally hosts England rugby internationals.

Menzies will not face easy opposition at this exhibition event. With James Wade, Jonny Clayton, and Brendan Dolan, he immediately runs into seasoned, proven names in the darts world. For Menzies, the event is an excellent chance to find match sharpness and show he has put his disappointing World Championship exit behind him.

The timing of his return matters. Next week sees qualifying for the Winmau World Masters. This tournament, played in a revamped format this year, is the first major televised event of the new season. Only the top 24 players on the world rankings receive automatic entry; the rest must battle through a tough qualifying event at Arena MK.

For Menzies, who is outside the automatic spots, it will be a crucial week. A solid performance in Twickenham could give him valuable belief for Winmau World Masters qualifying, where every detail matters and the margins are razor-thin. The Scot is known for his fighting spirit and intensity, qualities that have brought him both success and trouble.

At the top of the Winmau World Masters field is world champion Luke Littler. The event in Milton Keynes is, however, one of the few majors the 19-year-old Englishman has yet to win. One of his biggest rivals will certainly be Luke Humphries. The Englishman, world number two, defends his title after edging Jonny Clayton 6-5 in last year’s final. With the likes of Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, and Gerwyn Price also automatically qualified, the tournament promises high-quality action.