David Pallett targets a top 40 hit in the PDC
Newport's David Pallett is looking to become a top 40 hit in the PDC for 2015 after jumping up 10 places in the Order of Merit.
The Shropshire thrower reached the UK Open and made his World Championship debut, along with hitting his first competitive nine-darter, last year.
The first two have led to a double-figure lift into 46th when the standings were revised this week after the dust settled on the worlds, writes Craig Birch.
Pallett landed two-time world champion Adrian Lewis in the first round and lost 3-0, although he did win a leg in each set. He banked £8,000 just for taking part.
The 23-year-old, who turns 24 next month, enjoyed most of his success on the Pro Tour, where he finished 43rd, behind the top 32 cut for the televised Players Championship finals.
And Pallett's primary target is to make sure he doesn't miss the boat for that again, in what will be his third year as a PDC professional.
He said: "It would be a fair old jaunt for me to reach the top 32, that would be a big ask although it's doable. I have certainly asked of myself to get into the 40.
"If I can qualify for the UK Open and World Championship and reach another TV major, that would be a jump on last year.
"Something like the Players Championship finals would be a good achievement. I have proved myself on the floor so, hopefully, I can push for that."
Pallett was blown away by a Lewis juggernaut averaging 101.9, the highest of the first round, but he still had his moments.
His best came at the very start - Lewis just missing the bull to take out 170 for the first leg, Pallett stepping in to sweep away 161.
He said: "That was probably my highlight! The stats for the first round will tell you that I really couldn't have asked for a tougher draw.
"I just wanted to enjoy my time up there, I knew the chances of me winning were pretty slim but I wanted people to notice me.
"He had a word in my ear, at the end, and told me I had done really well and that I had given him a game, even if it didn't reflect that in the scoreline."
Pallett will be honoured with a silver pin badge at the PDC's annual awards dinner on January 22, for hitting that nine-dart finish in a non-televised UK Open qualifier.
