Part Chasing Connecticut Double

JOHN PART is looking to claim double glory in the PartyPoker.net PDC US Open and North American Darts Championship next week.

The Canadian picked up the last televised PDC ranking title in January when he lifted the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.

He also won the Stan James Players Championship in Gibraltar that month, but admits that his form on the PDC circuit has dipped during his involvement in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts.

"It has been a gruelling three months, a quarter of a year, and it's very difficult because it dominates everything else," said Part.

"I've let myself down in some of the Pro Tour events along the way and in a way I'm happy now that's over because I can resume my new schedule and hopefully do well in the ranking events that are coming up.

"I'm thriving on playing every week and to take that into an event like the US Open or North American Darts Championship, I do have a tremendous advantage."

Part missed out on qualification for the Premier League's play-offs, and admitted that he was disappointed to fall short of his initial goal.

"I don't think I needed to get through to prove anything," he said. "I wanted to get through, there's a lot of money on the line, it's a very big event and I wanted to be in the final. I'm disappointed I'm not, but I'm not disappointed in myself.

"I gave a good effort, learned a few things and hopefully am in next year and I can do a few things differently."

Part finished the Premier League with the third highest overall average of 93.90, but points out that he also had the highest average against him over the course of the 14 weeks - perhaps an indication of opponents' desire to defeat the World Champion.

And he admitted that a run of seven losses in nine games during the campaign cost him his chance of a top four finish.

"The close games weren't weighing on me in the last few weeks, it was the games where I got beaten badly but played well," he said.

"I didn't play well every time I lost badly but I certainly did in the two games against Phil and one against Terry Jenkins. Things didn't fall my way but I tried my best.

"I'm disappointed I didn't get through but, I'm a bit of a statistician, and looking back I had a very high average against me over the 14 weeks."

Watch the PartyPoker.net PDC US Open, with the last 16 onwards screened on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May live on NutsTV

Watch Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Highlights in DartsTV

Click here to purchase the official 2008 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts programme