MENZIES: "I NEVER THOUGHT I'D WIN AGAIN"

CAMERON MENZIES admits he never thought he’d win again after his shocking table-punching incident at the Ally Pally.

The Ayrshire ace beat Cristo Reyes 8-5 to win his third Players Championship title in Leicester.

Menzies, 36, has now qualified for the World Matchplay in Blackpool later this month.

It’s an incredible turnaround for the Scot who’s career looked finished over due to the hand injury he sustained after punching a table after being beaten by Charlie Manby in the World Championship in December.

Menzies admits he almost quit and went back to plumbing as he toiled to come back from the injuries.

He said: “I thought these days were by me. It’s been a tough year.

“I was lucky. I have struggled this year. I never thought I’d win one of these again. It’s sweet for a numpty like me.

“I’ve not done great at all this year. If you’d told me a couple of years ago I’d win my third ProTour, I would have called you an idiot.

“I thought I was done. I made a mistake. I let my family and friends down.

“It’s a moment that I have to accept for what I’ve done, it’s stupid what I’ve done.

“It is heartbreaking and I have to accept it. But two or three months ago I put my CV back on. Legit. I got phone calls from agencies. I genuinely thought my darts was spiralling.

“It hasn’t been my best performance. To even get to the quarter-finals I was buzzing.

“I hate the travelling to Leicester but it’s been a very good place to me. I’ve punched above my weight which is a lot of weight."

Menzies paid tribute to his girlfriend Suzanne and a life coach for helping him get his life - and darts career - back on track.

He added: “I’ve got bad anxiety. This life coach is helping dealing with life in general. I never thought I’d need it but these things help.

“I’m in a good place in life at the moment. I’ve got a girlfriend back home who is a massive darts fan. She will drive to the end of the earth for me.

“When your home life is good, darts is good. My darts have been poor this year but my home life getting better.”

Words by Phil Lanning

Images by TAYLOR LANNING