Dave Chisnall is on the hunt for his first major darts title after a strong start to 2023, following the death of his mother in February 2021.
## What happened?
The 42-year-old darts player was left heartbroken after his mother's passing, which affected his focus on the oche.
He has since bounced back with wins in the Belgian Open and Baltic Sea Open.
## Why it matters for Dave Chisnall
Chisnall's victory in the Belgian Open was his first tournament win in two-and-a-half years, which he dedicated to his mother.
He believes his mother is still watching over him and wants to win his first major title for her.
## What comes next?
Chisnall will compete in the European Darts Open in Leverkusen, where he hopes to get a good draw and capitalize on his luck.
He faces stiff competition, including Michael van Gerwen, but is encouraged by recent upsets in the sport.
As Chisnall told the PA news agency, "it was quite hard" to get over his mother's death, but he is now ready to move on and win.
He has been at the top end of the sport for nearly a decade, with six final defeats, but believes his time is coming.
Chisnall's recent form has been excellent, with a win in the Baltic Sea Open and a strong start to 2023.
He puts his victory in Belgium down to the luck of the draw, but knows he can win major tournaments.
The level of competition in darts has increased, with different winners at each tournament, but Chisnall is confident.
He will be competing in the European Darts Open, which will be exclusively live on Viaplay, starting this Friday at 12pm.
Chisnall's son, Parker, was born in October, and he says his mother has given them something to cherish.
He always wanted to win his first major for his mother, and now he is more determined than ever.
The European Darts Open will be a crucial test for Chisnall, but he is ready for the challenge.
With his recent wins and strong form, Chisnall is a contender for the title, and his mother's memory will drive him forward.