John Henderson admits his Premier League defeat felt like a kick in the teeth but hopes it can prove a valuable learning experience.
The Huntly arrowsmith was beaten 7-3 by Nathan Aspinall at in front of 7,000 fans at P&J Live on Thursday night.
Henderson had drawn 6-6 with Michael van Gerwen while playing as a contender in the same event a year ago but was unable to find top gear this time around in front of an expectant support.
The 46-year-old, who is in action in Barnsley on the Pro Tour this weekend, said: “Hopefully I can learn from it. I have one day to put it right and I have got to play a lot better.
“The whole occasion maybe got the better of me. There was a big pressure on me to play well and I didn’t. It is a big kick in the teeth. It is the worst I have played in a number of years.
“Not taking anything away from Nathan, he was making his Premier League debut and he did a great job.
“He did a job on me. I just didn’t turn up but hopefully I can learn from that.”
Henderson, who reached the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix by beating Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld in 2017, remains optimistic he can enjoy a strong season.
He added: “I believe (winning a Pro Tour event) is possible but not on the evidence of Thursday night. There was a lot of pressure but I’m not going to use that as an excuse.
“I know I can play better and I will need to play better if I want to progress in the PDC.
“Hopefully that performance will give me the kick up the backside I need.”
Meanwhile, Peter Wright admitted he struggled to hold back the tears after being introduced to the Aberdeen crowd as world champion.
Snakebite suffered a 7-5 defeat by Michael van Gerwen on his Premier League appearance since winning the World Championship at the start of the year.
He said: “I tried not to listen. And I didn’t cry, even though it was coming close.
“I’m having the operation in a couple of weeks to get my tear ducts taken out!
“I’ll get used to being announced as world champion, but the aim is to make it double world champion this time next year.
“It’s not harder playing as world champion, I was just more annoyed I let the home crowd down.”
