King keen on Masters trip

King: South African debut

The World Grand Prix isn't that far away so I've got a lot of work to do before then but winning Group Three has given me confidence and I can step up my preparations for Dublin now.

Mervyn King
Quotes of the week

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South African Masters
Sunday September 27
Live on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm

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Mervyn King is excited to be making the trip to South Africa for the first time to play in the South African Masters, live on Sky Sports 1 on Sunday.

King makes the trip to the Emperors Palace casino in Johannesburg this week on the back of his Group Three victory in the Championship League Darts last Thursday.

His win in the internet-televised competition has raised his confidence ahead of his South African trip, and he is now relishing the big events to come.

The World Grand Prix in Dublin follows in October, and King is excited about his chances in the upcoming tournaments.

"I'm looking forward to the trip," said King. "I've heard a lot about South Africa and darts is growing over there.

Interesting

"I'll hopefully play a little golf and poker too, although I'm not a poker player so that could be interesting!

"It's a new place to go and an exciting tournament, which I'll be trying my best to win.

"The World Grand Prix isn't that far away so I've got a lot of work to do before then but winning Group Three has given me confidence and I can step up my preparations for Dublin now."

King has gone from strength to strength since joining the PDC, and made the Premier League last year with impressive form taking him all the way to the final after beating Phil Taylor in the semis.

A month-long break in August left him rusty on his return, but the Championship League helped him to quickly find his form, and he will now take part in October's final group of that competition.

Return

"I had the whole of August off as I felt I needed a break and it was nice to spend time with my wife," he added.

"Austria was my return to competitive darts after the month and I found that hard because I hadn't thrown many darts during August.

"On the first day of Championship League Darts, even though I managed to get to the semi-finals, was hard work because the darts didn't feel quite right and neither did my arm.

"I made the semis again on day two but on the third day it clicked in and I'm delighted I won't have to come back until the Winners Group now!"

King will join the likes of PDC big guns Taylor, James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld in the tuornament, along with the top four players from South Africa.