Robert Grundy was the real story of Day Two of PDC UK Q-School, with the 47-year-old labourer by trade realising a boyhood dream and showing the true nature of the dream factory mentality that the Tour Card tournament produces.
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Grundy as expected was emotional post final as he took down Dom Taylor 6-2 with an incredible 105.25 average in the final. He averaged 94.03 for the day and averaged almost a ton in his last two games combined. A victor on the Challenge Tour last year, he has made the numbers up at times on the ProTour but will now make the step up.
"For many years I thought I could do it. But actually do it, it's amazing. Just everything's come out of me now. Since I was young, I thought of being professional so to be here at my age, I can't wait. I feel 16 again I really do," said Grundy.
"It hasn't sunk in, but it has. My heart is going ten to a dozen now."
But what is his story? He said that he has always loved darts but circumstances have never dictated that he can give it a go until now but that he switched on the TV one day and was in love again.
"I was literally nobody since last year. I'm a labourer. My boss who sponsors me saw something in me backed us and it's just took this year and last year to get to where I am. I wanted to do it, I was just working away so it's just where the money was and I didn't have time to play darts. I had 15 years out. I just turned on the TV one day and saw them and I got the bug back again and I'm glad I did turn that telly on in the morning."
"I went from strength from strength. On my day, I've hit a couple of ton plus averages today but I've been virtually around the 90 mark all day. When they go, they go. I can't wait to mix it with the big boys, I really can't."
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
Day Two ✅
Dan Dawson recaps the action from Day Two from the final stage of 2024 Q School, hearing from Jelle Klaasen and Rob Grundy who secured Tour Cards.