RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD is hoping to continue his resurgence in the RTL7 International Masters this weekend.
Van Barneveld will compete on television in Holland for the first time since 2007 in the four-day tournament, which begins on Friday in Egmond-an-Zee and is screened live on RTL7.
The five-time World Champion is hoping to follow up last December's Cash Converters World Cup of Darts success - when he partnered Co Stompe to victory - by winning the €80,000 event, which sees four three-player groups battling for places in the knockout quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
"We have to grow darts in Holland again and put it back on TV," said van Barneveld. "For the last two years the fans in Holland haven't had a big tournament there and I'm curious about how they will react.
"The PDC needs me in Holland and I hope I can help them. RTL7 is putting darts back on the channel. The Saturday night has sold out already and I'm looking forward to playing in the tournament."
Van Barneveld has adopted a tough practice regime in Holland in a bid to return to the world's top four, and has won four of his opening six games in the 888.com Premier League Darts.
"I'm practising in Holland playing the best of three legs 3001, and if you're not finished in 30 darts you have to start all over again at 0-0," said van Barneveld.
"I'm improving and I'm not afraid if players hit a 180 or 140 against me. My desire is back and I'm enjoying myself, and the only cure to play well is to win.
"For the last two years I was afraid to lose, but let the best players in the world come to me because I'm not afraid any more.
"I'm not saying I'm the best in the world but I'm ready for them again. For the last two weeks I've been fine and I know what I can do again.
"I wasn't happy to play the floor tournaments but last weekend in Wigan I did and it really helped me.
"I played a fantastic game against Michael Barnard where I had a 123 average, and I also missed a nine-darter on double 12 in the final, and it's given me so much confidence."
Van Barneveld enters the RTL7 International Masters on Saturday in a group alongside Vincent van der Voort and Michael van Gerwen, after Phil Taylor, Terry Jenkins and Adrian Lewis compete earlier in the evening.
Friday night sees Co Stompe, Jelle Klaasen and Roland Scholten kick off the event, while Sunday's Group D - featuring Gary Anderson, James Wade and Simon Whitlock - is followed by the quarter-finals, featuring the top two from each group.
The semi-finals and final will be played on Monday evening, with a €20,000 first prize awaiting the champion.
Highlights of the RTL7 International Masters will be available for PDCtv subscribers following the conclusion of the tournament.
RTL7 International Masters Schedule
Friday March 18 - 10pm start - tickets €20
Group A
Co Stompe v Jelle Klaasen
Winner of Stompe/Klaasen v Roland Scholten
Loser of Stompe/Klaasen v Roland Scholten
Saturday March 19 - 8pm start - tickets €25
Group B
Phil Taylor v Terry Jenkins
Winner of Taylor/Jenkins v Adrian Lewis
Loser of Taylor/Jenkins v Adrian Lewis
Followed by Group C
Raymond van Barneveld v Vincent van der Voort
Winner of van Barneveld/van der Voort v Michael van Gerwen
Loser of van Barneveld/van der Voort v Michael van Gerwen
Sunday March 20 - 8pm start - tickets €25
Group D
Gary Anderson v James Wade
Winner of Anderson/Wade v Simon Whitlock
Loser of Anderson/Wade v Simon Whitlock
Followed by Quarter-Finals
QF1: Winner Group A v Runner-Up Group C
QF2: Winner Group B v Runner-Up Group D
QF3: Winner Group C v Runner-Up Group A
QF4: Winner Group D v Runner-Up Group B
Monday March 21 - 10pm start - tickets €30
Semi-Finals
Winner Quarter-Final 1 v Winner Quarter-Final 3
Winner Quarter-Final 2 v Winner Quarter-Final 4
Followed by Final
All games are the best of 15 legs.
Should there be a points tie for a place within a group, the result of the group game between the two players would be the determining factor.
The semi-final order of play will be determined following the quarter-finals.
Prize Fund
Winner - €20,000
Runner-Up - €12,000
Semi-Finalists - €8,000
Quarter-Finalists - €5,000
Group Stage Losers - €3,000
Total - €80,000