Koalas, Seals and Darts: Mike De Decker enjoys Down Under ahead of Australian Darts Masters

Next Friday, August 8 and Saturday, August 9, the Australian Darts Masters is scheduled to take place. One of the eight top PDC players who will be in attendance is Belgian Mike De Decker, making his debut Down Under.

'Real Deal' already seems to be having a good time in Australia prior to the tournament, at least. On his official Instagram account, the 29-year-old shared several stories showing how he enjoyed Australian beaches, the Sydney Opera House and spotted several animals, including koalas and seals, at Sydney's Taronga Zoo. From another story, it looks like he is doing this jointly with Australian Damon Heta, who is playing a home game next weekend.

For De Decker, his participation in the Australian Darts Masters means his debut Down Under, after taking his first major PDC title last year by beating Luke Humphries in the final of the World Grand Prix. However, the Belgian came under scrutiny earlier this year for a number of pronouncements towards the PDC, so this invitation came as a big surprise to 'Real Deal'.

"I didn't expect it at all, because everyone knows what my opinion was about the World Series in the Netherlands and the Premier League. So I didn't see it coming, but I'm looking forward to it immensely," he said recently in an interview. Still, 'Real Deal' finally gets to make his appearance at a World Series tournament, and not in the 'drab' Netherlands, but in beautiful sunny Australia.