BORLAND BACK AFTER “GOING MISSING”

By Phil Lanning

WILLIE BORLAND qualified for the World Masters and vowed he’s back after “going missing”.

The East Calder ace delivered three nail-biting last leg decider wins to book his place for the new glitzy TV major in Milton Keynes.

‘Big Willie’, 28, beat Dirk van Duijvenbode, Alan Soutar and Mickey Mansell and now faces defending Masters champ Stephen Bunting on his debut at the Marshall Arena tonight (Thursday).

It was a great day for the Scots with Cameron Menzies also qualifying and he takes on Dave Chisnall on Friday night.

Borland is famous for becoming the first player to win a match at the World Championship with a nine-darter in December 2021.

But now he believes he back in the big time. He said: “A lot of people think that I’ve gone missing. I’ve had a lot of personal things going on.

“It’s not hindered my darts in any aspect. But it’s like taken my mind away and I’m not fully concentrated. So fully concentrated me that’s what I can do, qualify for TV events.

“It’s a ranking event so I’m happy that I’m there. I believe that I should be there. I know I’m not more consistent than the other guys.

“But I know that I’ve got the game to compete against these guys. The thing I’m lacking is consistency.

“It’s a great start to the year heading towards the ProTours which I’m also looking forward to.

“I’ve drawn Stephen so it just gets harder and harder. He’s probably one of the in-form guys on the tour.

“Let’s see what happens. We are both quick players. I’ve played him before and he’s beat me and I’ve beat him.

“It meant everything. With me throwing fast it’s hard to play Mickey.

“The way Mickey is playing at the moment, he’s one of the in-form players. He’s a very good player.

“Even if he didn’t hit a big one, he still went treble and treble. I was like b***** off!

“They are the tough games you have to win to get through. I was happy to get through that.

“The bull went on for ages. I was like just win the bull. Obviously Mickey won it. Then it was try and break him.

“The game was good, I believe two good players. Mickey is a good guy one of the nicest guys on the tour. I’m happy for myself to get through.”

Bunting admits he is wary of facing Borland who is capable of producing big moments.

He added: “No matter who you play when you come in as reigning champ, it’s always going to be difficult. I need to make sure I’m fully focused on my game.

“He’s had some magical moments at the Worlds, the nine-darter. I know quite a lot about him. He’s a difficult opponent.”

The other six qualifiers were Jermaine Wattimena, Kevin Doets, Andy Baetens, Florian Hempel, Bradley Brooks and Willie O’Connor.

The full revised draw:

2025 Winmau World Masters

Thursday January 30 (1900 GMT)

First Round x8

Josh Rock v Jermaine Wattimena

Damon Heta v Ross Smith

Rob Cross v William O’Connor

Gerwyn Price v Florian Hempel

Peter Wright v Kevin Doets

Luke Humphries v Joe Cullen

Stephen Bunting v William Borland

Danny Noppert v Michael Smith

Friday January 31 (1900 GMT)

First Round x8

James Wade v Mike De Decker

Dave Chisnall v Cameron Menzies

Jonny Clayton v Martin Schindler

Nathan Aspinall v Andrew Gilding

Chris Dobey v Ryan Searle

Luke Littler v Andy Baetens

Michael van Gerwen v Bradley Brooks

Gary Anderson v Dimitri Van den Bergh

Images by Taylor Lanning