From quitting his job in Australia to pursue Q-School dream - the remarkable story of unknown Adam Leek: "Where am I going to live? I don’t know"
PDC
Adam Leek could barely put the moment into words as he realised he had done it — winning a PDC Tour Card on Day One of UK Q-School after edging past Tyler Thorpe in a dramatic final-leg decider.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Australian came through four consecutive 6–5 matches on the final day, including an intense decider against Thorpe in which all 11 legs were holds of throw. Thorpe had the chance to win the match but never managed to throw a dart at a double, leaving Leek to hold his nerve once again.
“I can’t believe it, to be honest. I can’t believe it,” Leek said moments after sealing the victory to the PDC. “Honestly, I can’t believe it.”
"It’s been a stressful day,” Leek admitted. “But I just had to keep telling myself — shout out to Dave Hannell back home, playing online darts. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to do this. Honestly, the amount of last-leg deciders I play against him, that’s made me for this moment.”
Leek’s journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. The relative unknown has travelled from Adelaide to the UK, quitting his job and committing fully to darts, arriving in November with one clear goal in mind. “Since November 5th, yeah,” he said when asked how long he had been in the UK. “Playing darts in various tournaments, and always with an eye on this.”
Despite the belief that drove him across the world, even Leek did not expect success to come quite so soon. “To be honest, I thought next year was going to be more likely,” he admitted. “I had a lot of things I still have to work out. I don’t even know where to start. I don’t even know how I’m going to work it out, but I’ve got to work it out.”
He will also open new doors with Leek now set to partner Damon Heta at the World Cup of Darts if no other Aussies get their Tour Cards so it is very much the opportunity of a lifetime that will open so many other doors too.
ADVERTISEMENT
Not sure what's next as Leek over the moon
One thing is certain — Leek is now a professional darts player, though the reality of that is still sinking in. “Where am I going to live? I don’t know. I don’t know,” he laughed. “I don’t even know how I’m going to get back now."
His Q-School run included victories over some formidable opponents, including former world champion Steve Beaton and a tense match against Aidan Kirk, who had multiple match darts to deny him a Tour Card.
“That one was stressful,” Leek said. “But I have always believed I had the talent. To be fair, I think I’ve been as good as this two years ago — I think it’s just mindset.”
That mindset shift, he believes, has been the biggest change in his game. “I used to get so frustrated playing darts. I used to beat myself out of winning games,” he explained. “I knew how good I could play, but I’ve learnt that I’ve just had to learn to lose.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Really, I’ve had to learn to lose, and it’s got me to this moment. Now I just enjoy playing the game of darts. I go, you know what — if I lose, fair play.”
Asked what pushed him to take the gamble on a darts career, Leek’s answer was simple. “Just belief. Watching people on TV play, and knowing — watching those guys — I know I can compete. I just believe I can compete with those guys.”
Those “guys” will now include the very best in the world. Over the next two years, Leek will share the stage with names such as Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson — a prospect that still feels surreal. “I don’t even know what to say, honestly,” he said when it was put to him.
ADVERTISEMENT
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
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.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
