‘Now I keep my tour card’ – Darts star taunts booing fans in incredible interview after win
Robert Owen has kept his PDC tour card in sensational fashion by beating Ricky Evans before screaming in delight. Evans who is known for being the quickest tungsten thrower in the sport globally, took on Owen in a barnstorming clash to open the evening session on Sunday at the hallmark PDC event. PDCOwen picked up a brilliant win to retain his tour card[/caption] Evans has only ever reached the round of 32 in his best ever finish in the tournament, and was looking to navigate that hoodoo against Welsh opposition. As ever, the showman lit up the North London venue with an epic change of walk-on, dancing on to stage to Madonna’s ‘Like A Prayer’. But it was Owen who was left overjoyed, as he picked up a sensational 4-2 win, turning around the deficit to pick up the triumph. It meant the Welshman kept his PDC tour card, and will appear on tour next year. He is now at 59th in the rankings, and is unlikely to be caught after reaching the next stage. He roared at the crowd: “I will keep my tour card now.” Owen then taunted the largely English crowd, saluting his Welsh supporters, which drew large boos. He then added: “The last game was the biggest game of my life, but this one really was. Owen couldn’t resist giving it to his haters at Alexandra PalaceSky Sports “He’s a great player, now can I say it? ‘Now, I’ve retained my tour card!’. “Throughout I was saying ‘I’m here’ in Welsh. I’m here for my family and to give us a good life. “That is what I’m here for and hopefully I’ll do the same in the next round, but I don’t care.” “I can do a lot better than that. I’ve averaged 105-106 and 115-116 and I know I’ve got a lot more in the locker. “I thought I played OK but I know I can do better than that.” Owen looked extremely emotional after the match, having been through a real rollercoaster in the match. PDCOwen was left delighted as he retained his place on the tour[/caption] And in a subsequent interview with talkSPORT.com, ‘Stack Attack’ revealed the win meant so much to him after the passing of his grandfather just six days ago. He added: “There was so much pressure on that one game. “Mentally it’s been very hard. We went home and unfortunately on December 23 my Grandfather passed away. “He was like a father to me, that is why my children were here and wife were here. “I used that to my benefit to give me my strength to do it and get over the line. Evans took the lead early on, getting his nose in front with a lightning start to proceedings picking up the first set. Owen hit straight back as things became cagey as he moved back into the match at 1-1 with a much-better display. ‘Rapid’ didn’t let his rival wrestle any overall momentum as he took out 92 in a final leg to take a 2-1 lead. It seemed as if the Englishman would seize the initiative as he had two darts to win the fourth set, but was left agonisingly close. Owen took advantage and nailed a double ten and the match was all tied up. And it was the Welshman who took the vital deciding leg at the end of the fifth set to go 3-2 up and the writing was on the wall for Evans. Evans fell apart and his average dropped, as his frustrations grew and his darts became more rogue. And unfortunately for the fast-thrower, he was beaten by a rejuvenated Owen who was visibly emotional late on as his victory was declared. It cemented his place on the tour, a vital necessity for any darts player who wishes to compete all year-around, and effectively means Karel Sedlacek has now instead lost his tour card. Tune into talkSPORT 2 for coverage of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, as we bring you exclusive live commentary from Alexandra Palace. Listen via our web player, app, on DAB, or through your smart speaker.
Robert Owen has kept his PDC tour card in sensational fashion by beating Ricky Evans before screaming in delight.
Evans who is known for being the quickest tungsten thrower in the sport globally, took on Owen in a barnstorming clash to open the evening session on Sunday at the hallmark PDC event.
Evans has only ever reached the round of 32 in his best ever finish in the tournament, and was looking to navigate that hoodoo against Welsh opposition.
As ever, the showman lit up the North London venue with an epic change of walk-on, dancing on to stage to Madonna’s ‘Like A Prayer’.
But it was Owen who was left overjoyed, as he picked up a sensational 4-2 win, turning around the deficit to pick up the triumph.
It meant the Welshman kept his PDC tour card, and will appear on tour next year.
He is now at 59th in the rankings, and is unlikely to be caught after reaching the next stage.
He roared at the crowd: “I will keep my tour card now.”
Owen then taunted the largely English crowd, saluting his Welsh supporters, which drew large boos.
He then added: “The last game was the biggest game of my life, but this one really was.
“He’s a great player, now can I say it? ‘Now, I’ve retained my tour card!’.
“Throughout I was saying ‘I’m here’ in Welsh. I’m here for my family and to give us a good life.
“That is what I’m here for and hopefully I’ll do the same in the next round, but I don’t care.”
“I can do a lot better than that. I’ve averaged 105-106 and 115-116 and I know I’ve got a lot more in the locker.
“I thought I played OK but I know I can do better than that.”
Owen looked extremely emotional after the match, having been through a real rollercoaster in the match.
And in a subsequent interview with talkSPORT.com, ‘Stack Attack’ revealed the win meant so much to him after the passing of his grandfather just six days ago.
He added: “There was so much pressure on that one game.
“Mentally it’s been very hard. We went home and unfortunately on December 23 my Grandfather passed away.
“He was like a father to me, that is why my children were here and wife were here.
“I used that to my benefit to give me my strength to do it and get over the line.
Evans took the lead early on, getting his nose in front with a lightning start to proceedings picking up the first set.
Owen hit straight back as things became cagey as he moved back into the match at 1-1 with a much-better display.
‘Rapid’ didn’t let his rival wrestle any overall momentum as he took out 92 in a final leg to take a 2-1 lead.
It seemed as if the Englishman would seize the initiative as he had two darts to win the fourth set, but was left agonisingly close.
Owen took advantage and nailed a double ten and the match was all tied up.
And it was the Welshman who took the vital deciding leg at the end of the fifth set to go 3-2 up and the writing was on the wall for Evans.
Evans fell apart and his average dropped, as his frustrations grew and his darts became more rogue.
And unfortunately for the fast-thrower, he was beaten by a rejuvenated Owen who was visibly emotional late on as his victory was declared.
It cemented his place on the tour, a vital necessity for any darts player who wishes to compete all year-around, and effectively means Karel Sedlacek has now instead lost his tour card.
Tune into talkSPORT 2 for coverage of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, as we bring you exclusive live commentary from Alexandra Palace. Listen via our web player, app, on DAB, or through your smart speaker.
