Damon Heta captured his second title of 2024 after beating Ryan Searle in the final of Players Championship 18.
A host of big names such as Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Rob Cross have pulled out of this week’s Pro Tour events after their foray down under.
Gerwyn Price was set to compete in Milton Keynes despite the long-haul flight back to the UK, though withdrew in the morning before the tournament commenced.
Heta took full advantage of a weaker field and revealed how he maintained peak condition despite the gruelling 12,000 mile journey.
Damon Heta shrugs off jet lag that forced Gerwyn Price to withdraw
Price posted on Instagram that he had opted not to compete in Players Championship 18 due to ongoing jetlag he’s still suffering from.
Despite doing the same journey, ‘The Heat’ was unaffected and produced a string of staggering performances to claim the title.
Speaking to PDC TV after his victory, he revealed how he remained fresh for the Pro Tour double-header.
He said: “I’ve no jet lag, I’ve conquered that so happy days.
“[My energy levels] were good, I planned it right. I wasted myself; I stayed up for 24 hours just so I knew I had to sleep to get back into rhythm and sure enough I woke up today fine. I had about nine hours sleep and yeah, aces.”
Intentions are positive for Price
Despite his late withdrawal, the Welshman’s intentions to play in Milton Keynes are positive signs.
Many of his peers made the decision early but the ‘Iceman’ has insisted this year he’s determined to get back on track in ranking events.
There have been question marks over the ‘Iceman’s’ hunger and desire for darts over the past couple of years, but the 39-year-old’s attitude seems to have shifted.
The former World Champion is working hard to get back to his best and with a plethora of majors approaching including his favourite Grand Slam of Darts, the Markham man could be a force at the very top of the sport once again.