McKinstry on future ambitions after UK Open brilliance: "The next dream now is the Alexandra Palace and a tour card"
PDC
One of the main surprises of the recent UK Open was Kyle McKinstry and despite not holding a Tour Card, he reached the Last 16.
ADVERTISEMENT
McKinstry started his career in the BDO where he competed three times in the World Championship at the legendary Lakeside. He reached the Quarter-Finals in 2019 losing out 5-2 to Glen Durrant and he recalls facing the now Premier League leader.
“Coming up against Glen in the quarter-final on a Friday night at a packed Lakeside - the hair was standing on the back of my neck was standing up,” he said to the Belfast News Letter.
“I played well, I could have went off 2-1 up at the break in sets but went off 2-1 and then Glen kicked on.
“Growing up, the Lakeside was the one you’d gear up to watch ever year, I’d have always sat with my dad watching it and I always said to him I’ll be there one day.
“It was my dad that started me off playing darts in the house; he would have went to a few competitions with me, then I would throw myself into the deep end and go to all the big ones put the practice in and it has paid off.”
Switch to PDC
In terms of the PDC he made the decision to switch after the 2019 BDO World Championship and spoke of the difficulty of getting into Q-School.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It didn’t matter what happened, whether I won it or went out in the first round I was going to the PDC; after the Lakeside I was home two days then I went to Q School.
“It was a big step up and it took me two or three days to adjust; because I had a good Lakeside I felt I had a target on my back. In the second round I played Jim Williams, averaged 97 and got beat 5-2 - it’s all in the luck of the draw.
“Last year I missed the first week of the challenge tour and the top two automatically get a tour card and a place at the Ally Pally (World Championship) and if I hadn’t missed the first weekend I’d have got it; I finished seventh and that got me into the UK Open.”
Facing Fallon Sherrock at UK Open
Speaking of facing Sherrock at the UK Open, he eased past 'The Queen of the Palace' and admitted nerves though beforehand despite not showing them on the stage.
ADVERTISEMENT
“From (when) I saw the draw I was really nervous with the way she’d played at the Worlds and the way the crowd reacted. Where they going to give me hassle?
“Even backstage before the match I was practising with Fallon and she was missing nothing, so I knew I’d have to be on top of my game.
“Luckily I got on the stage and my finishing got me through it, I had six out of seven (6-1 victory) on the doubles and it is an experience I’ll not forget."
Future ambitions
For the Northern Irishman after previously playing at Lakeside only one main dream remains for him at least in the near future.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I had one dream to get to the Lakeside and I conquered it and the next dream now is the Ally Pally and a tour card.”
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026