HENDERSON Gives Up The Booze

JOHN HENDERSON chopped down tree surgeon Justin Pipe then admitted: "I've given up my job AND the booze to be a oche winner."

Hendo roared into the second round of the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix with a 2-0 win over in-form Pipe on Monday night.
He now faces rising star Wes Newton in Dublin tonight but is confident of going further after dedicating his life to the sport.
Hendo quit his job as a rigger to give him more practice time for the big events — and it's paying off.
He said: "People kept telling me to go pro but it was a massive decision — and gamble. I had seen Robert Thornton and Gary Anderson make a success of it and it was tempting.
"I've taken the plunge and this is my first big tournament since then so it's very important to me.
"I've got so much more practice time now which is vital with the standard of the game nowadays.
"Strangely I've almost given up the booze as well. I used to like a cider to settle me down for a match, but I seemed to have gone past that stage.
"I think I know now that I need to get results and I'm totally focused on being as professional as possible, and it seems to be paying off."
Hendo had to win ugly over Pipe with a scrappy victory.
It was a significant win considering Pipe had just 24 hours earlier beaten Phil Taylor to win his first ProTour championship.
Henderson added: "That was just typical of my luck. I drew Justin just as he ran into a bit of form by beating Phil!
"I think that might have actually worked in my favour, it heaped a bit of the spotlight on him unexpectedly. It was a short format game and I didn't care how I won, I just had to get through in any way.
"I didn't play that well to be fair. In fact since I arrived in Dublin last week I haven't felt that comfortable, and I got beaten in both my Pro Tour events in the second rounds.
"One thing for sure is that I have to up my game now and quickly. I've drawn Wes Newton who is a rising star of the game.
"He's one of the favourites to actually win this Grand Prix and will be a threat in the World Championship and Premier League next year.
"I will need to get my act together or I'll be going home but I'm confident I can pull out my A game after all the extra practice. I need to make this full-time gamble pay off."