Darts star Ross ‘The Boss’ Montgomery admits he needs to be 100 per cent focused in his PDC Tour events – or he will ‘get his backside kicked.’
The Greenhills thrower has enjoyed the first month of his big step up from the WDF to the professional ranks, having won his PDC Tour card for the next two years in January.
But he is still getting to grips with the standard as he prepares for this weekend’s UK Open at Butlins Minehead Resort, which will be his biggest test so far.
The event is being broadcast live on ITV but The Boss will need to negotiate the first few rounds before his chance to be shown on screen.
He faces Englishman Reece Colley in his opener on Friday and knows he must be fully focused to succeed.
Montgomery, who has faced the likes of world number one Gerwyn Price so far, said: “The first few weeks have definitely been an eye-opener for me.
“You need to really knuckle down and work harder on your game than ever before, and basically finish your games – don’t give players any chances. The last two events I played, I had a couple of chances, didn’t take them and the guys just clinically punished me. That was me out.
“I played Chris Dobey the other week and he gave me a bashing, shall we say. Against Darren Webster I had chances against him, but I missed them and Darren came in and took the match.
“That’s the part of my game that’s hurting me at the moment.
”There will be no mugs there at the UK Open. You’ve got to be 100 per cent focused at all times – or you will get your backside kicked.
“You can get moments in the WDF when you can get away with missing some chances, but in the PDC you’ve got 128 Tour players and nobody is giving you a chance anywhere.”
Montgomery is ranked 106th in the PDC Order of Merit, with £2000 in prize money so far. And he added: “I’m enjoying the experience.
“I’m not enjoying getting beat, of course, but I’m being beaten by quality players.
“If I can brush up on my doubles, I think I can take a few scalps and, hopefully, progress in the rankings.
“My first target is to get the first game out of the way, then get to the TV stages when you start earning money and building ranking points, because it’s a busy year ahead.”
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