"If it clicks with Mike De Decker, he could win" - Peter Wright puts forward surprising name as potential UK Open winner

Tonight in Exeter the fifth night of play of the Premier League Darts is completed. A day later, with 2024 UK Open gets underway in Minehead.

Peter Wright is still pointless after the first four night's of play in Premier League Darts. "The first few weeks I was trying different things: throwing faster, long points, heavier darts, different setup and so on. That didn't work, so then I went back to the 'old diamonds.' Those did work, sort of," Wright tells Sky Sports. "The young players these days, like Luke Littler and Gian van Veen, all use long points. That's why I wanted to try it. Beau Greaves does it, too. It seemed like the most successful path, but it didn't work with my style. So I went back to what I know and what I've been successful with. I may be throwing the rest of the year with this set, but I've said that before," laughs 'Snakebite'.

Despite his four defeats in a row in Premier League Darts, Wright is certainly not despairing just yet. "If it doesn't work out on Thursday, then too bad. But I can just win five nights in a row and then I'll be on top again. It's far from over."

The 53-year-old Scot starts Friday's UK Open, a tournament he managed to win in 2017, as more of an outsider than a favourite. "I made the final twice and to win the tournament was obviously fantastic. It is one of the hardest tournaments to win because it is so open. Also the short format and the draw can make it extra difficult," Wright says. "The open draw is a nightmare. You really have to warm up a lot also in your room because you can't estimate the draw. Sometimes you're on the main stage, then somewhere else. For example, the draw is done at five o'clock and then you have to play two hours later."

When asked for his one to watch, Wright puts forward a somewhat surprising name. "If it clicks with Mike de Decker, he could win. His averages are very good and on TV tournaments he is doing better and better. He's someone to keep an eye on."