JACK Tweddell may not have picked up any prizemoney during the first round of UK Open qualifying, but a meeting with 16-time world champion Phil Taylor ensured he did come away with plenty of positives.

Having suffered early exits during first two days, the second of which came at the hands of PDC star Wes Newton, Tweddell was drawn to face Taylor in the second round in Wigan on Sunday.

Tweddell won the first leg before eventually going down 6-2, but was pleased with how he played and has taken plenty of confidence from the clash.

“It was great to draw Phil because I’ve never played him before and to go against a player like that is a great experience,” he said.

“I won my first game and I felt quite confident so I knew that if I played my own game it would be a good match. I won the first leg and I thought I might have had a chance but then he started hitting 180s.

“When he’s playing he’s really professional and just like he is on the big stage but before and after he’s really friendly and talks to you and is a really nice guy.

“I took two legs which is good but he did say at one point that maybe we could have been at 4-4, which is great to hear from someone like that.

“I know now that if I score well I am going to get chances in matches, even against the best players in the world, but I need to work on finishing those chances.”

Tweddell knows he still has work to do to secure a place at the UK Open in Minehead in March but remains confident of picking up enough prizemoney during the final weekend of qualifiers.

“There are a few less tournaments this year and I don’t think anyone really knows how much money you need to qualify,” he said.

“I could be £500 or £750 that gets you in which means I could do with a good weekend.

“If I play like I did in the last two tournaments next time then I should be okay because I was playing well but good hard draws against Wes Newton and Phil Taylor.”