"It’s not like I’ve won this and can relax now, I want to do more": No resting on his laurels for Luke Woodhouse despite finally winning maiden PDC title

Luke Woodhouse said that he wants more and isn't done having claimed a maiden PDC title that feasibly could open the floodgates for a player who for a long time was the highest ranked PDC player without a title. He won Players Championship 18 though.

Woodhouse defeated Andrew Gilding in the final and was both ecstatic post final and also very much zoned into wanting to achieve more with no wild celebrations for 'Woody' who sees this as the start of the bigger picture. Long one of the most consistent players on the PDC Tour, he finally has his just reward for being so. "Unbelievable. I’ve played some really good stuff today, and to finally get rid of that tag of being the highest-ranked player not to have won one, it’s lovely," he said to the PDC.

"I just thought whoever won out of James and Andrew was going to be a tough game. Obviously, Andrew won one of the Pro Tours last week. I thought, “Come on, get at him early doors,” and all of a sudden I’m 3-0 down. I just didn’t want to collapse. I thought, stick in there and do the best you can. Thankfully, I showed what I can do."

It was quite a novel tactic for Woodhouse who took a big deep breath and then took aim and he then gave himself the best shot of completing what was a landmark title.

"I just tried to focus as best as I could really. When I missed the big 16, I thought… I’m not a big fan of tops and tens, I prefer 16s and double eights. When I missed that, I just took a big step back, had a drink, and thought this could be the only shot you get at winning the game. So I just made sure I gave it my best shot."

But for Woodhouse now it isn't about being happy with one title. The Bewdley ace has long gone on about getting over this duck and while he was over the moon, he also put it into perspective that he isn't happy with just one and wants more titles. He was asked how frustrating it is to have been waiting so long to get over that hurdle.

"I wouldn’t call it frustrating. I know I’m playing some really good stuff, so in my eyes it was always a matter of when, not if. I’ve been playing lovely stuff for probably 18 months now. To finally get that tag off my back is nice, but it doesn’t really change my mindset. I want to do well in every tournament I play in. It’s not like I’ve won this and can relax now, I want to do more.

"You look at all the great players in this game, they’re not happy with winning one title or one tournament. They want to win again and again. That’s what I’ve got to teach myself to do. I think my game is in a great place, so who knows what could happen."

Onto Riesa now for Woodhouse and he now has the further belief having also made a European Tour final that he can stick to the task and even seal another title. The sky is certainly the limit.

"Of course. Like I said before, I want to do well in every single tournament I play in. I don’t go there just to make the numbers up. If I can keep performing like I have been I think most of my averages today were 95-plus then who knows?

But there won't be any grand celebrations. Being from just down the road in Bewdley, Woodhouse said he would be straight home to his family. "No, I’m heading straight home tonight to see my wife and kids."