The 2022 WDF World Champion, Neil Duff, returns to MODUS Super Series action and another appearance in an event where he rarely fails to deliver.
Ahead of Duffman’s latest quest for south coast success, Darts World caught up with the 52-year-old for a quick natter and first asked: how happy is he with his current game?
“Overall, I would say I am satisfied. I tend to either play really well or really poorly. I’m struggling a bit with my B game at the moment, though I’m working on it. Hoping to have a good second half of the year and see what happens.”
It’s far from the Northern Irishman’s MODUS debut, but it will mark the launch of a brand-new set of darts:
“I’ve moved up to 25g Rob Thornton ones and will be using them for the first time competitively in the Super Series. At home, I’ve been practicing with them plenty, and it’s going really well. I feel the extra 2g in weight gives me added control and they’re flying straighter.”
Always handy when aiming for a specific target. So hopefully for Neil, this new set of arrows will go where he wants them to in what promises to be a busy week of action. It’s a Monday morning start for the Ballyclare man, but this isn’t his first MODUS rodeo – he knows all too well how to ride this particular bull.
“I have a set routine when I come to Portsmouth. I’m staying in a house near the venue and every day I’ll go for a long walk. Then, once the session is over mid-afternoon, I’ll get changed and more often than not go to the gym. Once home, I make sure I always cook my own meals and in the evening just chill out before getting an early night’s sleep.”
It’s a recipe that has worked well for Duff. In all the times he’s been called up for MODUS duty, he’s there until the very end, battling on Finals Night for the title. So arriving on day one – what’s it like?
“All six players must be in the venue by 8am at the latest. I’ll generally arrive at 7:30am, grab a coffee, get settled and prepared. Generally on a Monday, you feel out the rest of the players – see who looks confident or not, especially the new lads to the series.
“I normally start slow on day one, then it gets easier on the Tuesday – and even more so on the Wednesday. Last time I was here, I lost in the final so I’m hoping to go one better. In fact, the first six times I competed in the MODUS Super Series, I reached every final but lost them.”
Still, not a bad run Duffman – and a good few quid in your sky rocket! The venue has since changed from a small room in Southampton to a great new set-up in Pompey, and Neil has nothing but praise for how the playing area looks.
“I love it there. Previously, before they moved, it was so hot – felt like 100 degrees. Now it’s a much larger room with high ceilings and the temperature is well regulated. The people that run it are very friendly, and it’s somewhere I really enjoy playing.”
Well, if you never head home early, Neil, that pretty much speaks volumes. As a happy hunting ground – and with a couple of Irish lads winning in recent weeks – what is last year’s WDF England Open winner hoping for?
“I’ve won a lot of MODUS events, but what I really want is to win Champions Week. It’s the one thing I haven’t been able to tick off my list. So to do that would be great.”
Duff has the experience, the pedigree, and it’s a venue where he always does very well. On his last outing, he won fourteen matches on the trot. Therefore, as always, he will be a tough nut to crack.
—–ENDS—–
Images: WDF / Chris Sargeant
