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Newly-crowned Masters champion Joe Cullen has dedicated his maiden televised title to his late mum after making his family extremely proud on Sunday evening.
Cullen defeated multiple-time world champions Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen on his way to the semi-finals, before overcoming former Grand Slam of Darts winner Jose de Sousa and Dave Chisnall to reign victorious.
Cullen, the current world number eleven, lost his mum last autumn and was pictured running towards his dad in the crowd after securing his latest slice of silverware.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment for a long time,” Cullen told ITV Sport. “I felt like I was going to win it at the start of the day, so to actually get over the line feels amazing.
“It’s bitter-sweet. I’d love my mum to have been here to see me do it but life’s not always fair. I miss my mum dearly so that’s definitely for her. I lost my mum in October and it’s absolutely gut-wrenching. That was for my mum.
“It was special to have my dad here. Losing a parent is always tough, so to have my dad by my side supporting me is great.”
Cullen, a two-time champion on the European Tour, could now receive plenty of opportunities, starting with potential Premier League selection and he wants further success following a landmark triumph.
“It’s a foot on the ladder and it’s something that a lot of players higher ranked than me haven’t done, so it can only be a positive going forward,” he added.
“Hopefully this is the first of many. I’ve proved I can do it on TV and it’s even more pleasing because I played well. My finishing all weekend has been pretty good but you can’t practice for the moment you have a dart to win a TV title.
“I felt comfortable for the whole game and then all of a sudden I thought I was going to win and that’s when it all goes to pieces, as you saw. The double 18 at the end was more a relief. I got over the line and that’s all that matters.”
