Gerwyn Price is chasing more than the £110,000 winner’s cheque at the Boyle Sports World Grand Prix.
The 35-year-old will also move up one place to second in the world if he wins the tournament in Coventry.
Price was handed the extra incentive after seeing world champ Peter Wright – the man he will leapfrog in the rankings – crash out in straight sets to Ryan Joyce in his first round match.
“With Peter out then if I win this tournament then I go to No 2 so that’s another little carrot dangling in front of me,” said Price, who won his first round match 2-0 again Holland’s Jermaine Wattimena on Wednesday.
“But I’m not under any pressure. It would be good to win this tournament and probably take a little bit of pressure off me for the Grand Slam, trying to defend that money.”
The PDC Order of Merit is based on prize money won over a two-year period by players in ranking tournaments.
Price will be chasing his fourth title in five events at the Ricoh Arena having won back-to-back Autumn Series title before triumphing in the World Series of Darts finals in Austria.
The Markham marksman fought back from being two legs down against to win and set up a second-round match against Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts on Friday.
“I don’t think it was a tough test. It was myself. I was missing doubles,” said Price of his win in the double in-and-out event.
“I am a different player now. If I’m in the game I believe I can win. I am one of the in-form players, that’s all that matters.
“I am in the right place mentally. I am just enjoying myself. I’m playing really, really well.”
Pontyberem’s Jonny Clayton will also be back in action on Friday against Joe Cullen in his second round clash.
Clayton claimed his first win in the event at the third attempt when he beat Ian White 2-1.