GARY Mawson is not afraid of doing it the hard way – after travelling 24 hours to be at the UK Open.

The Canadian, who lives in America and whose parents are from Bolton, kicks off the thrilling four-day tournament at the Reebok tonight.

Mawson takes on tractor driver Ashley Whisker in the first round and will have to win twice more before the likes of reigning champion Phil Taylor and James Wade enter the competition.

But the 2008 finalists has no qualms about taking the longer route to the Sunday’s showdown.

“I’ll have to win eight games to make the final but compared to all the travelling I do it’s nothing,” said the popular 47-year-old. “From leaving my house in Cleveland, Ohio to arriving in Bolton takes the best part of the day.

“With most of the competitions being based in England or Europe the traveling is really tough and I’m away from home a lot.

“In fact, since Christmas I’ve probably only been in America six weeks – the rest of the time I’ve been away competing.”

Mawson’s parents both hail from Bolton and he lived in town as a child before moving back to Canada in 1968.

The fans favourite, who practices at the Top Bull in Breightment and The Atherton Arms in Atherton, plans to move back to Bolton in September. But first he wants to impress at the UK Open, dubbed the FA Cup of darts as amateur stars from around the country get their chance to take on the sport’s top names.

Mawson shot to fame two years ago by beating Raymond van Barneveld on the way to the final before eventually losing to James Wade.

And he would love to go one better this time.

“That was my biggest success but I lost in the second round last year, so I’ve had my highs and lows,” said Mawson.

“I’m playing well at the moment and I’m ranked 41st on the tour, so I’m looking forward to it.

“Playing in Bolton is extra special for me because it’s where my family are from. I love the tournament because the format is exciting for the players and fans. Hopefully I can go all the way this time – that’s the plan anyway.” The preliminary round also features former World Championship quarter-finalist Darren Webster up against Birmingham-based Andy Hutchings, a HGV driver for Royal Mail.

The 32 second round winners will go into the draw for the third round at the end of tonight’s play, with Taylor, Wade and Walkden’s Matt Clark among the 32 players entering at the last-64 stage.

Play will progress through the last 32 and last 16 on Saturday before Sunday sees the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final spread across two sessions at the Reebok, with the eventual champion taking home £40,000.