"I was raging at myself for how badly I played'' - Cameron Menzies set for first major quarter-final after 'rollercoaster' Grand Slam

Cameron Menzies by his own admission has yet to show his best game at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts. Nevertheless, in Wolverhampton, "Cammy" has made it to the quarterfinals of a major PDC tournament for the first time in his career.

Menzies only narrowly got out of his group. After a win over Martin Schindler (5-2) in the opening match, the Scot lost to Danny Noppert (5-4) in his second group match. The chances of making it to the last sixteen shrank after Menzies also lost his final game in the groups against Beau Greaves 5-1. But thanks to Noppert, who beat Schindler 5-2, Menzies narrowly made it through in second spot. The leg balance between Menzies and Schindler was tied, but based on their result against each other, it was Menzies who continued in the tournament.

''This has been a rollercoaster,'' Menzies admits in conversation with the PDC ahead of his quarterfinal. ''I left here after Beau [Greaves] battered me and I was fearing the worst. I was going home thinking about getting my tools for work. I was raging at myself for how badly I played, and now I’ve achieved something I’ve never done before. I didn’t think I deserved to be here, but I’m very grateful to be where I am, and it just shows you that darts is such an unpredictable sport.”

Then on Wednesday night in Wolverhampton, Menzies had to take on 'The Machine' James Wade in the last 16. After saying just a few months ago that he was not good enough to go pro and was still working as a plumber during the day, he beat James Wade 10-9 after an enthralling match. This Friday night, 'Cammy' now has the challenge of Mickey Mansell to overcome in the quarterfinals for a spot in the semifinals of the Grand Slam of Darts.

''James wasn’t at his best. It was a slugfest in my opinion, but I was buzzing to get over the line. That is normally a game I would have faltered in, but that confidence of finally doing stuff on the ProTour is maybe starting to pay off,'' Menzies concludes. “I feel like I’ve got more in me. I just need to start doing it on the big stage.”