MARK Cox has immediately set his sights on a place at the World Championship after earning his PDC tour card by the narrowest of margins.

The Swindon thrower beat off competition from around 500 players to win one of the 24 cards on offer through the Qualifying School order of merit, only earning his place through leg difference after finishing as one of five players locked on nine points.

Cox now has access to every Players Championship event on the PDC calendar as well as qualifiers for European Tour events and the UK Open and is determined to take his chance.

“Qualifying School was a tough few days and it really takes it out of you because you are on your feet playing a lot of matches in a short space of time, but it was great to get through and I can’t wait to get started,” he said.

“I’ve played on the PDC circuit for quite some time and played in a lot of events but it will be great to be in there full-time and mixing it with everyone.

“Inside two years I want to be firmly inside the top 64 to avoid going to Q-School again because it’s really tough and I would like to be playing at the World Championship. It will be hard, I know that, but it’s the dream of every player who picks up a dart.

“Playing there (Alexandra Palace) would be unbelievable and I would love to be there myself.”

Cox’s close friend and fellow Swindon player Johnny Haines broke into the top 64 and appeared at Alexandra Palace inside his first two years on tour and the PDC new boy is keen to follow in his more experienced mate’s footsteps.

“Me and Johnny have been best mates for years now and he had a brilliant first year and then wasn’t quite so good the second,” he said.

“That was John’s first time ever but it’s a bit different for me because I’ve been doing the PDC for years on and off. I’ve not had the funds or the sponsorship to do it year after year but that all seems to be in place now and I can’t wait to get going.

“If I can do as well as Johnny did in his first year I will be really happy.”