Ashton hails "massive achievement"
Lisa Ashton has hailed her "massive achievement" in being the first female player to win a PDC Tour Card at Qualifying School.
The four-time Women's World Champion secured her Tour Card through the 2020 UK Qualifying School, losing in the Day Two final before gaining enough points to seal her spot from the Q School Order of Merit.
She will now compete in 2020 and 2021 on the PDC ProTour as she bids to establish herself on the PDC circuit alongside the sport's biggest names.
"I am so proud of myself," Ashton told Sky Sports News. "I couldn't be more happy - this achievement is another level.
"To get the Tour Card and know I'm going to play against the top men in the world is another massive achievement for me.
"I know I've got to do the hard work and keep going but hopefully I can get more opportunities. It's going to open a load more doors for me, more tournaments.
"I'm not just going to make the numbers up. I'm going to do the hard work and hopefully I can compete and give them a go."
Ashton's success followed Fallon Sherrock's historic run to the third round at the William Hill World Darts Championship last month, while the likes of Mikuru Suzuki, Beau Greaves, Deta Hedman and Lorraine Winstanley were amongst the women competing at Qualifying School.
"Ladies' darts is in the best place ever," added Ashton, 49. "The ladies are raising their game, and with Fallon getting through and me getting this Tour Card it's just showing the ladies are slowly coming through.
"Hopefully more will follow us."
Article by Dave Allen
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