HOOD PLANS TO LEAVE DAY JOB AFTER WORLDS SUCCESS

JUSTIN HOOD announced he no longer has to work his day job after entering the last 16 of the World Championship.

‘Happy Feet’ produced a commanding 4-1 victory over Ryan Meikle, averaging a solid 94.68 and taking out three ton-plus checkouts in a clinical display.

The Glastonbury thrower is now provisionally ranked in the top 64, boosted by his strong Ally Pally performance after securing his Tour Card earlier this year.

Hood revealed the breakthrough moment in his career means he can now fully dedicate himself to darts.

He said: “I’ve been playing since I was fourteen. I’ve never practised so much as I have for the last three weeks, and it is paying off now.

“I can have a year now where I ain’t got to worry about chasing the money. I ain’t got to work, so long may it continue.

“Today wasn’t my best performance, but I’ll put that right next game.

“If you win, you win. If you play well, happy days, if you don’t, it’s all about getting that win.

“Ryan’s a class bloke, class player, but I got the win. I got the crowd on my side – they love me. I think it’s because I’m three foot tall.”

Hood has now banked a whopping £60,000 and his dream of opening his own Chinese restaurant is looking likely.

He added: “100 per cent. It is happening. It will happen.”

Hood will face Josh Rock or Callan Rydz in the fourth round as he looks to continue his remarkable run on debut at the Worlds.

Image by Taylor Lanning.