SIMON WHITLOCK hopes to follow the example of fellow Australian Neil Robertson as he bids for Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts glory.
Robertson became the first Aussie to win the World Snooker Championship last month, and Whitlock watched his countryman's performances at The Crucible with interest.
Whitlock fell one step short of becoming World Champion himself when he lost to Phil Taylor in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship final in January, two years after suffering the same fate in the Lakeside Championship decider against Mark Webster.
However, he is hoping that Robertson's success and inspire his own bid for glory when he challenges for darts' second biggest prize - the £125,000 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts title - at Wembley Arena on Sunday night.
"It was absolutely brilliant," said Whitlock. "For an Aussie to win the World Snooker Championship is possibly bigger than if it happened to me in darts.
"I'm so proud of him. I didn't really know a lot about him before the tournament but I watched all his games and to me it was very passionate for him to win.
"Any inspiration is good and what he did, to become the first Australia as World Snooker Champion, can't be repeated.
"It's an achievement I hope to have in darts one day, to be a World Champion, and it has inspired me."
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Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Play-Offs
May 23 - Wembley Arena, London
Semi-Finals
Simon Whitlock v James Wade
Phil Taylor v Mervyn King
First to eight legs - should the score be tied at seven-all after 14 legs, a 'Golden Leg' will decide the winner.
Followed by
Third Place Play-Off (first to eight legs)
Final (best of 19 legs)
Tickets: 0844 815 0 815 or www.wembleyarena.co.uk
Sky Bet Odds
Semi-Final Match Odds
Simon Whitlock 4/6 v James Wade 6/5
Phil Taylor 1/14 v Mervyn King 15/2
Tournament Odds
1/3 Phil Taylor
9/2 Simon Whitlock
7/1 James Wade
22/1 Mervyn King
Odds courtesy Sky Bet, the official bookmaker of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts. Odds correct at 1pm Friday May 21.