Ryan Searle insists he is happy to be overlooked as he prepares to face Mervyn King at the Masters in Milton Keynes on Friday (Match betting – Searle 8/13, King 13/10).
The world number 16 was last seen when losing 4-1 to Peter Wright (5/1 – The Masters outright) in the last-16 at the World Championships in December.
Searle (33/1 – The Masters outright) admitted he was struggling with illness ahead of that meeting with Wright, who went on to win the competition but was still pleased to reach that stage.
PDC Darts Masters Betting Odds
“I had a bit of flu over Christmas and I just didn’t feel right, didn’t feel myself at all against Peter,” Searle told Daily Star Sport. “That showed in my performance.
“At the end of the day, I got to the last 16, which is still good.”
Now Searle is targeting a positive start to 2022 as he gears up for the Masters in Milton Keynes, eager to climb further up the rankings.
The 32-year-old began 2021 outside the top-32 but he starts this year at number 16 in the Order of Merit.
Heavy Metal is confident that he can match anyone on his day as he prepares to take on King in the opening round at the Masters.
He added: “I quite like going under the radar, it doesn’t bother me. I’ve played well the last couple of seasons, and there’s no one I haven’t beaten.
“On my day I know I can beat anyone and I’m looking to push forward in major tournaments this season.
“I’ve had a break since the worlds, but playing against my good friend Merv King, it should be fun.”
Darts Betting Odds