"I realised I have got a talent here and I need to put the effort back in" - William Borland determined to make the most of Pro Tour return

William Borland returns to the Pro Tour after a year's absence. The 27-year-old Scot just captured a PDC Tour Card at Q-School, securing his place for the next two years.

Borland lost his Tour Card early last year and then failed at Q-School to regain it right away. "After I came back from Q school and not getting it last year, I had maybe one or two months and just spent it catching up with my friends," Borland told the BBC. "Then I realised I have got a talent here and I need to put the effort back in. I just started practising and playing every day again and it got me to the stage I am at just now."

Borland caused a sensation at the 2022 World Darts Championship by throwing a nine-darter in the deciding leg of his opening match against Bradley Brooks. "I did well on the tour when I was on it before, but my consistency levels weren't as good as the top pros, so I am just happy I have got a chance to rectify everything."

'Big Willie' is still quite young at 27 years old and drew inspiration from Luke Littler. "Every youth player that is playing just now has to look at Luke Littler and be like 'that is what I want to do', so it does give that hope," Borland adds. "I am looking to just try and hit the ground running as quickly as possible and we will take it from there."