Nick Kenny admits he’s motivated by the dismissive attitudes of both Raymond van Barneveld and Peter Wright.
Five-times World Champion Barney has already been discussing a potential last-32 clash with Luke Humphries. Wright has gone a stage further and predicted he and the Dutchman will then have a classic later at the World Championship.
But Barney has to beat Kenny to get a shot at the defending champion and the Welshman isn’t impressed at being overlooked. He said:`“I watched his [Barneveld] interview last week and he’s not even bothered about who he plays. He’s playing Luke. And Peter Wright. I dunno what he’s on about. It doesn’t hurt, but, like [Nathan] Aspinall says about people writing him off, you really want to win a bit more then.
“I’m the underdog now, so I’ve got no pressure on me. On paper, I’m not going to win, but if I can play my A game, I will, however well Barney plays. That’s a big statement to make, but like he’s already playing Luke Humphries.
“I’ve got a task on Saturday night and, if I win, happy days, if I lose, happy days. I am looking forward to it. I’m buzzing for it and I’m relishing the task, it’s a big challenge.
“All of the 96 players are turning up and next year it will be even better. I don’t know how many games have gone 3-0. I know Callan Rydz played really well and there’s been a couple more.
“But I was never going to underestimate Stowe Buntz. He won a tournament in Gibraltar last month, he had a quarter-final at a Grand Slam beating [Stephen] Bunting and Wright.”