Luke Woodhouse Secures First-Ever Qualification for World Matchplay

Reaching a Career Milestone

In a remarkable career milestone, Luke Woodhouse has secured his first-ever qualification for the esteemed World Matchplay in 2024. The Englishman, currently ranked 34th in the world, will face off against the defending champion, Nathan Aspinall, in the opening round.

Consistent Performance on the Pro Tour

Woodhouse’s qualification was achieved through a strong performance on the Pro Tour Order of Merit. Despite feeling that his game hasn’t been at its sharpest lately, the determined player has managed to produce consistent results. As he shares in an interview with the Seeing Double Darts Podcast, “Last year I felt like I was playing really well. The start of this year, I don’t. Even though the results are coming, I don’t feel I’m playing that well.“

Maiden Major Quarter-Final

The player’s hard work and dedication have paid off, as he reached his maiden major quarter-final at the 2023 Players Championship Finals. Reflecting on the experience, Woodhouse recalls, “In the Players Championships, I genuinely thought I could probably get to the final and I was a bit disappointed. But to be fair, that’s the first time into a quarters of a major. I just ran out of steam on the stage in the evening.“

Admiration for Damon Heta’s Dedication

Compared to some of his fellow professionals, Woodhouse acknowledges that his practice regimen is relatively modest. He cites the commitment of Damon Heta, who dedicates up to eight hours a day to honing his skills, as an example of the level of dedication required in the sport. As Woodhouse explains with admiration, “Damon Heta. His commitment to the game is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. He will do sort of seven or eight hours a day practice. He’s the best practicer I’ve ever played with or practiced with. He hits absolutely everything, so seeing him doing what he’s doing now is no shock at all. He’s probably the hardest working dart player I’ve I’ve come across.“

Facing the Defending Champion

As Woodhouse prepares for his debut World Matchplay campaign, he faces the daunting challenge of taking on the reigning champion, Nathan Aspinall, in the opening round. This will undoubtedly be a true test of Woodhouse’s abilities, but his determination and hard work have brought him to this stage, and he will be eager to make the most of this opportunity.

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