ANDY HAMILTON has set his sights high after completing an amazing 12 months at the Betfair World Matchplay.
The Stoke ace had entered the 2011 World Matchplay under threat of dropping down the PDC Order of Merit when he slipped from the world's top 16 and only won a Blackpool place in the final qualifying tournament.
However, his run to the semi-finals of last year's Winter Gardens event has kick-started an amazing turnaround, with his subsequent run to the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship final followed by him being handed a McCoy's Premier League Darts Wildcard.
He went on to reach the semi-finals of the Premier League, with his defeat to Simon Whitlock matched by a loss to Phil Taylor at the same stage in the 2012 World Matchplay last month.
As he prepared to enter the August break, Hamilton admitted that he is looking to continue rising beyond his current sixth place in the PDC Order of Merit, with half an eye resting on a top-four place in January which would secure an automatic Premier League place in 2013.
"I'll reflect in the next few weeks on what I've done in the last 12 months and where I am now," he said.
"The Premier League was a great learning curve for me. It's made it easier for me to play great darts on stage, and I've risen up to number six in the world, which is a great achievement.
"Hopefully I can keep on rising and when we come back again in September I'll play some good darts. I'm playing well and competing well. I'm playing strong, so bring the next tournament on!
"I've got a few exhibitions lined up in August so I'll still be turning my arm over, so I'll be ready for the next European Tour event in Stuttgart."
Hamilton was knocked out in the quarter-finals of this year's World Matchplay as he went down 16-11 to his Stoke rival Taylor - but he is determined to finally get a televised victory over the world number one in the near future.
"I lost to the best player in the world so there's no disgrace there," he reflected. "I took out some good checkouts and scored well, but it was just that bit in-between where I wasn't as consistent as Phil.
"That was what made him win the game and I take my hat off to him because he's a true champion.
"I'm determined to beat him [on TV] and I'll keep playing him and playing him. I want to beat him and I'm sure that one day I will do."
See Betfair World Matchplay Highlights - including Andy Hamilton's games - in LIVEPDC.TV