NEW darts star Ryan Searle says he can beat any player in the world ‘on my day’ following his success at the 2019 PDC World Darts Championship, writes Barry Knott.

He reached the last 16 before being knocked out by Michael Smith, who went on to reach the final.

Searle pocketed £35,000 in prizemoney and said afterwards he was disappointed he did not play better against Smith.

Searle went into the tournament as a virtual unknown whereas Smith was the 2013 PDC Under 21 World champion and has won six titles on the PDC Tour.

Searle, who plays for HTA in the Wellington Winter Darts League, caused a shock in the second round when he beat world number seven Mensur Suljovic 3-1 after losing the first set.

“I would like to think I’m gaining more and more experience and I will be less nervous in future tournaments. I can play now with more confidence knowing I can beat top players.”

Favourite Michael van Gerwen won the world championship and a cool £500,000.

The next big tournament for Searle is the PDC 2019 UK Open Darts Tournament at Butlins, Minehead, which starts at the end of February.