I won on Ally Pally debut to set up Michael van Gerwen match but was close to dying before I threw a dart
James Hurrell has opened up on the health scare which left him ‘close to dying’ before his Alexandra Palace debut. Hillbilly won his first match at the PDC World Darts Championship on Tuesday to set up a clash with Michael van Gerwen. Hurrell revealed he was close to death before his Ally Pally debut Hillbilly has set up a second round clash with Michael van GerwenRex The three-time world champion awaits Hurrell in the second round on Friday night. Hurrell set up their showdown with an impressive win over Canada’s Jim Long. The world number 89 dropped just one leg on his way to a 3-0 victory at Ally Pally. However, his journey to the World Championship has been far from easy after suffering from a twisted bowel. Hurrell was asked about his health scare during his post-match press conference, revealing: “I just want to say thank you to my surgeon that operated on me. “It’s amazing. I didn’t think I’d be here, to be fair. “I was that close to dying. So all the hard work pays off.” The 40-year-old is now relishing the chance to take on MVG later this week, admitting: “(It is) a massive challenge, but it’s going to be so good. Can’t wait for that. Cannot wait.” Van Gerwen last failed to make the third round in 2011 and is the third seed at this year’s tournament. However, Hurrell believes he has a chance to cause a major upset in London. View Tweet: https://t.co/rRPDBBEfKJ He added: “Everyone’s beatable, but I just need to be solid and get out like I did there. I got out quite well there. “Doubles were good. I just can’t wait to play Michael van Gerwen on that stage.” Hurrell is competing at Ally Pally for the first time to conclude his first year as a PDC Tour card holder. The former WDF world number one has already £15,000 to his prize money tally by making the second round. Since winning his tour card in January, Hurrell amassed £30,750 in winnings prior to the World Championship. Those earnings have been boosted by his form at Players Championship events this year. Hurrell made three separate quarter-finals to qualify for the Players Championship Finals, where he exited in round one. Either 30th seed Brendan Dolan, Chris Landman or Lok Yin Lee await to winner of Hurrell’s clash with Van Gerwen in the third round.
James Hurrell has opened up on the health scare which left him ‘close to dying’ before his Alexandra Palace debut.
Hillbilly won his first match at the PDC World Darts Championship on Tuesday to set up a clash with Michael van Gerwen.
The three-time world champion awaits Hurrell in the second round on Friday night.
Hurrell set up their showdown with an impressive win over Canada’s Jim Long.
The world number 89 dropped just one leg on his way to a 3-0 victory at Ally Pally.
However, his journey to the World Championship has been far from easy after suffering from a twisted bowel.
Hurrell was asked about his health scare during his post-match press conference, revealing: “I just want to say thank you to my surgeon that operated on me.
“It’s amazing. I didn’t think I’d be here, to be fair.
“I was that close to dying. So all the hard work pays off.”
The 40-year-old is now relishing the chance to take on MVG later this week, admitting: “(It is) a massive challenge, but it’s going to be so good. Can’t wait for that. Cannot wait.”
Van Gerwen last failed to make the third round in 2011 and is the third seed at this year’s tournament.
However, Hurrell believes he has a chance to cause a major upset in London.
He added: “Everyone’s beatable, but I just need to be solid and get out like I did there. I got out quite well there.
“Doubles were good. I just can’t wait to play Michael van Gerwen on that stage.”
Hurrell is competing at Ally Pally for the first time to conclude his first year as a PDC Tour card holder.
The former WDF world number one has already £15,000 to his prize money tally by making the second round.
Since winning his tour card in January, Hurrell amassed £30,750 in winnings prior to the World Championship.
Those earnings have been boosted by his form at Players Championship events this year.
Hurrell made three separate quarter-finals to qualify for the Players Championship Finals, where he exited in round one.
Either 30th seed Brendan Dolan, Chris Landman or Lok Yin Lee await to winner of Hurrell’s clash with Van Gerwen in the third round.
