MENZIES MORE HEARTBREAK AHEAD OF WORLDS BID

CAMERON MENZIES has revealed more heartbreak that is motivating another World Championship title bid.

The Ayrshire ace returns to the Ally Pally this week aiming to end the anguish of last year’s London tears.

Menzies, 36, broke down after his defeat to Leonard Gates 12 months ago over the worry about his stricken dad Ricky laid up in hospital. 

But at the same time his uncle Gary Eagle was also struggling with illness. His dad made a recovery in the New year but his uncle, known as ‘Budgie’ didn’t make it. 

Former darts ace Eagle passed away earlier this month and Menzies wants to win for him in London – even if that means missing the funeral. 

He revealed: “My uncle went into the hospital the same time as my dad last year. When my dad got out, my uncle never did.

“He was in Somerset, so we did the Players’ Championship recently and I went in and seen him. And I’m glad I did because, four days later, he passed, but we knew it was coming.

“Since Covid and stuff, he deteriorated. Diabetes and dementia and that. Every time I seen him it was getting worse and  worse and I’m glad I went to see him.

“Obviously he was bedbound and he couldn’t speak, but he gave me a wee look. Four days later he passed. I think he held on for me because I think I was the closest thing he had to a son.

“He never made Ally Pally. He went to Lakeside the first time I was there, that’s where he’s fit and healthy. “Over the last couple of years, he obviously deteriorated, but life’s a bugger that way.

“I’m getting his Somerset County shirt framed and put on the wall. He was there for me when I was younger, he was there when I won my first Youth Tournament, so aye.

“The way it works out, if I win my first game, I’d miss his funeral. If was to make it through to the second-round, my next game would be on the 22nd and that’s the same day.

“I’d want to be there, but I’d happily miss it for that and I know he would also rather than I was not at the funeral and still be in the tournament. I’m sure he’d understand because he’s a big darts man just like me.”

Menzies is bang in form going into his opener against Charlie Manby – and has his eye on the £1million prize.

He added: “It’s a big one. Years ago when it went up to half a million, I thought that was special, Then within two years, it’s this.

“I’ve got to two quarter-finals of majors, which is quite surprising. If I do that here, it’s a few more zeroes!

“It’s the one obviously everyone wants to win. You can have a very, very bad year and then get to the quarter-finals of the Worlds and it makes your year brilliant.

“I just think the World’s is always a bit more. I would say it’s been my best year, ranking-wise. Hopefully I don’t end it on a low. You could have a great year and win titles, get knocked out first round at Ally Pally and be annoyed.

“Take Scott Williams, for example. He’s done alright in the Tour, but he had two great World Championships and it bumped him straight up the rankings.

“With the money these days, I could be sitting 26th at the moment, but I could have a great run and be challenging for the Premier League before you realise it because the prize money is so high. Obviously, you need to get to the semis for that.

“Just take a random player who’s maybe 40 or 50 in the world. You get to the semi-finals and next thing you know they’re sitting 12th in the world or something. There’s that much money involved, there’s going to be a lot of changes in the rankings.

“I don’t feel as nervous this year, I was really nervous last year. This year I’m a bit more calmer, I think it’s because things couldn’t get any worse than last year.

“It’s a big year for all of us, the worlds this year is massive, life-changing money. I’m nervous within reason because I’ve got a really hard game first game, but I do feel quite calmer than normal, maybe a bit more experienced kind of thing.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.