JEFF SMITH is relishing his return to the Alexandra Palace in December after winning the William Hill North American Championship on Thursday.
The Canadian ace recorded a memorable 6-4 defeat of John Norman Jnr in the final at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas to secure his place at the 2018/19 William Hill World Darts Championship.
Smith made his Alexandra Palace debut last year where he beat Luke Humprhies 2-0 in the preliminary round, hitting a 170 checkout along the way, before going down 3-0 to two-time World Champion Gary Anderson.
"I'm so happy to be going back to Ally Pally, it's going to be awesome," said Smith, who has previously starred in the World Cup of Darts and the Grand Slam of Darts.
"The feeling I get when I step on that stage is unreal, it's beyond anything I've ever experienced.
"Knowing that I will be playing there again is an amazing feeling for me, it's something you can't explain until you actually get up there and do it."
"I've been on quite a journey in darts, I've been a Tour Card holder and played at Ally Pally so to win this title is amazing for me."
The big-stage action in Las Vegas began as New Brunswick's Smith scooped the $10,000 title having come through the qualifiers earlier in the week despite a flight cancellation meaning that he was only able to fly in to Las Vegas on Tuesday morning.
The 42-year-old showed his class to succeed Willard Bruguier as the North American Champion with some gutsy displays against Ross Snook, Danny Lauby and Norman Jnr.
"It was hard work all the way through, right from the start when my plane came in late on the first day so I only just made it to the qualifiers with 15 minutes to spare," Smith added.
"These tournaments are giving North American darts a great chance of progressing - the sport has come a long way here, it's been a spectacular few years.
"I was thrilled to win the third qualifier and secure my place on this magnificent stage in Vegas.
"I think my big stage experience helped me out today, I've been fortunate enough to have a lot of chances to play on stages like this under the lights and the heat."
Smith will be back in action in today's William Hill US Darts Masters as he takes on reigning champion Michael van Gerwen in round one.
The PDC World Series of Darts event will see eight north American qualifiers taking on eight top stars over the two days at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.
Following Friday's first round, the tournament concludes on Saturday with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.
Tickets for the William Hill US Darts Masters are still available to purchase via mandalaybay.com or in person at the venue.
Worldwide television coverage includes broadcasts through BBC America online, ITV4 and through PDCTV-HD for subscribers outside of the UK, Ireland and Netherlands.
William Hill US Darts Masters
Draw Bracket
(1) Peter Wright v Joseph Huffman
Daryl Gurney v John Norman Jnr
(4) Rob Cross v Ross Snook
Michael Smith v David Cameron
(2) Gary Anderson v DJ Sayre
Gerwyn Price v Dawson Murschell
(3) Michael van Gerwen v Jeff Smith
James Wade v Danny Lauby
Friday July 6 (12pm local time)
First Round
Michael Smith v David Cameron
James Wade v Danny Lauby
Rob Cross v Ross Snook
Gerwyn Price v Dawson Murschell
Gary Anderson v DJ Sayre
Michael van Gerwen v Jeff Smith
Peter Wright v Joseph Huffman
Daryl Gurney v John Norman Jnr
All games best of 11 legs
Saturday July 7 (12pm local time)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
All games best of 15 legs
Pictures courtesy Tom Donoghue