Mitchell Lawrie has confirmed he will compete at PDC Q-School in January, but the 15-year-old Scottish sensation has unfinished business at Lakeside first. Speaking to Sky Sports, Lawrie left no doubt about his plans: "I'm definitely doing it. That's what I wanted to do. I've always said I want to be a professional darts player since I started this, and that's what we're going to try to do in January. Hopefully, I'll get my Tour Card there and then go on to bigger and better things."
Lawrie, regarded as one of the biggest talents in darts, has made a strong impression in the WDF over recent years, but he recognises where his future lies. "As I've said, I've loved the WDF system and everything. They've been great with me, and I've really enjoyed that. But the money is right in the PDC. That's where you can make a living out of darts, so that's where you need to go."
The young Scot is under no illusions about the challenge awaiting him at Q-School, expecting an even tougher field than usual. "I know there's always going to be a tough field of players. I feel like it's going to be even stronger this year with the number of players coming through," he said. "It's definitely got to be one of the toughest years at Q-School, I think. All the youth players who are now turning 16, along with people coming through from the Challenge Tour – there are so many good players now. But I've always said that if I go up there and play my game, I don't see anybody beating me. I've always been confident in myself, and I know my ability."
Before any of that, Lawrie's full attention is on Lakeside, where he hopes to defend his youth world title and go one better in the senior event after missing out last year. "Yeah, I'll be returning, hopefully defending my youth title, putting a few wrongs right from last year and winning the senior one as well." Winning both world titles would be the perfect sign-off from the WDF before his PDC move. "Obviously, that's the dream. I want to win that world title before I go to Q-School, so hopefully I can do that. But if not, hopefully I can still retain my youth title again. I really want to win that men's one."
