EXCLUSIVE: Former World Matchplay champion Peter Evison, 60, opens up about his plans to return to the sport after injury
Peter Evison in action at the World Matchplay which he won in 1996 (Image: Getty)
A darts legend who routinely beat greats of the game is plotting a comeback following an injury nightmare. Peter Evison often got the better of Eric Bristow and Phil Taylor in his heyday in the 1980s and 90s, and beat Dennis Priestley in the final of the World Matchplay in 1996.
However, in recent times, he has been hampered by a chronic injury in his throwing arm, stemming from suffering a trapped nerve in his neck back in 2012. Now, after a period of rest and some hard work in the gym, Evison is close to playing regularly again.
Provided he can throw pain-free, he is pondering entering PDC Q-School next year in a bid to win back a Tour Card or playing on the World Seniors Tour. Explaining his injury, he said: “I was in the gym and I felt something go in my arm, so I stopped. That night, I went to play darts and it felt stiff.
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“When I threw the dart, it hit the skirting board, it was nowhere near the dartboard. I thought, ‘what’s going on here?’ I couldn’t throw a dart.
“I started doing more in the gym and it was getting a little better. Then I stopped playing, then started again. On the back of the elbow, it went all flabby, like there was no muscle there. Now, it’s nearly back to normal. I look at it near enough every day. With the amount of work I’ve been putting in, in the gym, it’s coming back to normal.”
Peter Evison is planning a darts comeback (Image: Getty)
Now he can see light at the end of the tunnel, Evison is cautiously preparing for what could be a busy 2025. He said: “In the next few weeks, I will start playing again to see if the muscle has fully repaired. Then I’ll go back, either in the PDC Q-School or the Seniors Tour.
“It depends if my arm’s good enough and if I can get my mind back to normal, so I’m not worried about who I play.”
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Q-School will take place in January while the burgeoning Seniors Tour, which has featured Taylor, will hold its next World Championship at the Circus Tavern in February.
Daily Express – Golf Newsletter
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