As the PDC's Pro Tour begins later today and tomorrow, darts commentator Paul Nicholson has named his five one's to watch as they embark on their first Players Championship wins.
His picks included Ricky Evans, Luke Littler, Gabriel Clemens, Andy Baetens and Dom Taylor.
On Ricky Evans, he said: "This is a battle cry to one of the most talented players in PDC darts. He has the skills, he has the ammunition to win these things, but for some reason he hasn’t. I think he can this season, but only if he recognises what isn’t working for him and what he needs to do to find that extra belief. It’s time he found it, or the truth is, he may never win one."
'Rapid' is now into his 12th consecutive season of participating in Players Championship events, but after 263 events of trying he is yet to get across the line.
Next on Nicholson's picks was darting sensation Luke Littler, who has burst on to the scene this year, winning the Bahrain Darts Masters on his World Series debut in January.
Nicholson said: "I have no doubt that he will have many great tournaments this year, and his development tour season last year will prepare him for this rookie season in PC’s perfectly. However, they do not just give out these titles and he will have to go through some sickening draws just to make quarter finals."
German star, Gabriel Clemens has also been predicted to go all the way and secure his maiden PDC title.
Nicholson said: "He doesn’t have to fix a great deal about his game to do that. Ability wise, not a lot has changed the past few years. I think if he conquers the mental side, that will get him over the line."
After a semi-final appearance in Players Championship 28 last year, missing a match dart to get to the final, Nicholson believes Dom Taylor could also have the opportunity to go one better this year.
"Looking at how The Tower has been playing over the last couple of years on various tours, it is zero shock you will get from anyone to see that he is a pro tour card holder for at least the next two years. His ceiling of performance is about as tall as he is and his experience levels are just right for him to have a great rookie season."
Nicholson's final pick was Andy "The Beast" Baetens, the current WDF World Champion and WDF world number one, after securing his PDC tour card in the European Q-School in January.
On Baetens, he said: "If he kicks into gear quickly, he could do severe damage in any event he plays, including the European tour providing he masters the new qualifying criteria. However, in Players Championship action which he is guaranteed to play in if he attends, I see this as his first frontier to being a possible newcomer of the year."
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