Chris Landman on achieving Tour Card: ''First let's see how the first two years go''

Chris Landman finished fourth in the European Q-School rankings, grabbing a Tour Card for the first time. In an interview with Darts Actueel, the 43-year-old Dutchman talked about last season and getting his Tour Card.

In 2023, Landman took a title on the Challenge Tour and managed to reach the final of a Players Championship as a reserve player, qualifying for the Players Championship Finals. He also made it to the final of the 2023 WDF World Championship at Lakeside in December. ''I had a very good season last year. Richard (Veenstra, ed.) had already booked all our hotel rooms for next year. He told me I just had to get a Tour Card.''

His good results on the Challenge Tour in 2023 allowed Landman to skip the first phase of European Q-School. ''Personally, I liked that. I find it hard to motivate myself for longer periods.'' Landman immediately reached the final on the first day of the final phase of European Q-School, which he lost 6-5 to compatriot Martijn Dragt. The next two days Landman did not pick up any points, but managed to secure a Tour Card on day four with two wins. ''I wasn't sure then myself that I had grabbed a Tour Card. When people came to congratulate me, I was very relieved.''

Because Landman ranked highest on the Challenge Tour rankings in 2023, he was allowed to participate in almost all Players Championships as a reserve player, allowing him to gain experience on the Pro Tour in the meantime. "I liked it. You get to play against the best in the world, I like that a lot."

Due to a new rule from the PDC, floor tournaments will be played during the coming season during the week. ''I managed to arrange it with my boss in such a way that it's not going to be a problem for me. I don't mind it being played during the week, then I'll be home more often on weekends.''

Landman is open to becoming a fully professional dart player, but also sees his work as an important diversion. ''I just don't know if I'm going to stop working then. I don't know if I'm going to like being alone in the world of darts. If it goes really well, I can always stop working. First let's see how the first two years go.''