Andy Hamilton has claimed that his performance at this year's UK Open proves that he is inching ever closer to winning his first major tournament.

The 46-year-old was beaten 11-4 by 16-time world champion Phil Taylor in Sunday's final at the Reebok Stadium.

In 2012, Hamilton reached the last-eight stages of the UK Open, European Championship and Players Championship, as well as the semi-finals of the Premier League and the final of the PDC World Championship.

Despite his knack of consistently reaching the latter rounds, the Stoke-on-Trent thrower is yet to claim first prize in any of darts' most prestigious events. However, he is convinced that will soon change.

"I couldn't be any prouder of myself," said Hamilton in the wake of his defeat to 'The Power'. "I've played some great darts and had a great weekend and I'm happy with what I've done tonight.

"Last year I reached the quarter-finals and I'm happy to have reached the final. I think I've proved that I'm getting closer to my first major.

"If someone had said at the start of the week that I'd get to the final, I'd have taken that but I'll be back. The UK Open's probably the hardest tournament to win and I didn't play badly in the final, but Phil played out of his skin and I take my hat off to him."

Hamilton is currently ranked sixth in the PDC order of merit.