Isle of Wight darts player Keegan Brown will face German darts professional Florian Hempel in the PDC World Championship at Ally Pally on Friday evening (16th December).
Keegan – who is named after footballer Kevin Keegan – failed to qualify last year. However, the 30-year-old won a Players Championship event in August and believes his form has improved.
NHS blood lab worker Brown’s best result at the competition was in 2018 when he reached the last 16.
Keegan – nicknamed ‘the Needle’ – claimed he had felt so awful missing out last year that he had made himself watch every single game to make himself realize how much he missed it. To get himself in shape, he started practicing regularly in his spare room, which he transformed into a darts room with a collection of his trophies to remind him of past successes.
Working for the NHS during the pandemic has been difficult for Keegan, especially during the 1st few months when he hardly ever picked up a dart. However, he believes having a regular job keeps him grounded.
The World No 64 told BBC South Today:
“The difference has been practising. The last couple of years, where I’ve been working at St Mary’s Hospital, my darts has come 2nd, and it’s been really noticeable at competitions.”
“I made sure I practiced enough this year and so far, the results have gone my way.”
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Brown won the ProTour’s Players Championship 23 in Barnsley over the summer to claim his 1st pro title in 7 years.
Keegan said:
“I think we’ve had at least 2 or 3 prime ministers between my last 2 wins. 7 years is a long time without a trophy but hopefully another comes soon.
“Practice is going well heading into Ally Pally, so it’s literally in my hands.
“The atmosphere there is always second to none with 5,500 people chanting and cheering you on – it’s almost as good as a Christmas present. I’m buzzing for it.”
Brown has played Hempel 2 times, the most recent of which was a 6-0 win at the players championship in March.
Best of luck to him.
Florian will definitely win it hes one of the best at the moment.
Keegan, thanks for putting us first.
You’re a gent!
Good luck Keegan, rooting for you hun, so proud to see you doing so well. Sending you a hug x