Chris Dobey lifted his second Players Championship title of the year by beating Cameron Menzies in Milton Keynes.
Dobey joins an exclusive club of Luke Littler and Damon Heta as being the only players to win multiple titles on the floor in 2024.
The 34-year-old is looking to rebuild this year after missing out on the Premier League after making his full debut last year.
Speaking to PDC TV after his victory, ‘Hollywood’ spoke candidly about the pain of missing out on the elite line-up and the motivation it’s given him.
Chris Dobey says he got ‘kick up the backside’
Dobey secured his spot in last year’s Premier League after capturing the Masters at the start of 2023 – his first and only major to date.
Though he finished seventh, he impressed with a string of great performances and had the fourth-highest running average of the tournament.
He said: “Yeah I said I need to push on to get into the top 10 [of the world]. Premier League experience last year was massive, it gave me that opportunity.
“I was coming into these [Players Championship events] knowing I can win and that kind of gave us the kick up the backside that I needed, not being in the Premier League this year.
“It’s brought my floor game on and I’m comfortable in the Players Champs.”
Dobey could be on cusp of watershed win
The former Masters Champion has posed a greater threat in ranking majors over the last 18 months.
Since the start of the 2023 World Championship, he’s made five major ranking quarter-finals after having made six in the previous seven years.
He suffered heartbreak at Alexandra Palace eight months ago, becoming the only player in history to lose a World Championship quarter-final after being 4-0 up.
The Newcastle man has put that behind him though and many expect him to land a big one soon.
He is also highly rated by his peers, with Damon Heta labelling his throw as the best on tour.
Last year, Luke Humphries unleashed his potential at the World Grand Prix which became a catalyst for his year of dominance.
Dobey has the form and the ability to make a similar impact when the PDC returns to Leicester in October.