Tuesday 24 January 2017 14:36, UK
Former world champions John Part and Richie Burnett joined Scott Taylor and Steve Lennon in securing their tour cards on day three of the 2017 PDC Qualifying School.
In a repeat of the 2008 Alexandra Palace final, three-time world champion Part faced Kirk Shepherd in a straight battle for qualification, and the Canadian rolled back the years as he clinched a 5-2 victory at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan to secure his return to the PDC ProTour.
"My real goal in life is to be a four-time world champion," the 50-year-old, who was recently inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame, told their official website.
"I want to get in [The World Championship] whatever it takes and give myself a shot. That's what today is all about. It sounds crazy I know, but I just want that chance.
"I'm delighted to get through here but you need some luck, you need to hit shots at the right times. I'm not just a three-time World Champion that powered through this field - there are some fantastic players here, so I am delighted."
Burnett, the 1995 Lakeside Champion, secured his return to the PDC ProTour following a two-year absence.
He initially served an 18-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance in November 2014 before returning to action last year with two PDC Unicorn Challenge Tour wins.
Burnett admitted the experience of competing in Qualifying School has been tough but crucial in guaranteeing his place back on the professional circuit.
"This is the most pressure I've ever been under in all my life," said Burnett. "If I had gone from this place without my Tour Card, I don't know where I would have ended up.
"I've let everybody down in the past, but I have done it now for myself and for everybody that has stuck by me. It has been a long hard road, where I have faced some very difficult times, but it feels great to secure my Tour Card."
Irishman Steve Lennon also secured progression from his Qualifying School debut as he dropped just 10 legs in the day as he won a Tour Card, culminating in a 5-2 victory over Scott Darbyshire.
"I'm more relieved than anything else," said Lennon, from Carlow. "There are so many good players here and I'm delighted to come through such a hard field."
Taylor, who won a Challenge Tour event last May, was the fourth and final player to secure his Tour Card on day three.
"It's been great - there isn't a much better feeling than this," said Taylor.
"The first day was a nightmare, and the second day I lost to Royden Lam - I played out of my skin but he nicked it. To come through today after that disappointment is just a great feeling."
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