For the first time in history, Simon Whitlock will not compete in the World Cup of Darts this year. The iconic Australian, nicknamed “The Wizard,” is ineligible for a spot on the national team after compatriot Adam Leek surprisingly secured a PDC Tour Card at Q-School. That ends a unique streak for Whitlock, who had taken part in all sixteen editions of the country tournament to date.
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The Australian team is normally selected from the two highest-ranked PDC Tour Card holders from the country. For a long time it looked as though Whitlock would line up alongside Damon Heta again in 2026, despite losing his Tour Card at the end of last year. Since Heta was the only Australian Tour Card holder in 2025, Whitlock was still allowed to participate. That scenario is now off the table for good.
Adam Leek surprises at Q-School
The big surprise came from Adam Leek, who won no fewer than six matches on the first day of the final stage of UK Q-School in Milton Keynes. That secured him a PDC Tour Card for the next two seasons. Leek claimed impressive victories over, among others, Dylan Slevin, a former Tour Card holder, and darts legend Steve Beaton.
In the decisive match for the Tour Card, Leek edged Tyler Thorpe 6-5 after a tense battle. With that win, he is now officially a PDC Tour Card holder and moves ahead of Whitlock in the pecking order, which in principle means he may partner Heta to represent Australia at the World Cup of Darts.
End of an impressive streak
Missing the World Cup marks a historic moment for Whitlock. Along with Willie O’Connor (Ireland) and Mensur Suljovic (Austria), he was one of only three players to have contested every edition of the tournament. Whitlock won the event in 2022 alongside Damon Heta and had already reached the final a decade earlier with Paul Nicholson.
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The 56-year-old Australian boasts an outstanding career. He reached the World Darts Championship final in 2010 (and earlier the BDO World Championship final in 2008), won the European Championship, and was a fixture at the top of the global game for years. Whitlock is rightly regarded as the greatest Australian darts player of all time.
Simon Whitlock was recently in action at the 2026 World Darts Championship
Last month he qualified for the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace by winning the ANZ Premier League, but he exited in the first round after a narrow 3-2 defeat to Connor Scutt.
Still a glimmer of hope?
Even so, Adam Leek’s selection for the World Cup of Darts in June is not one hundred percent certain. There is another contender: Mason Whitlock, the son of Simon Whitlock. The young Australian is competing at EU Q-School this week and will make one last attempt this afternoon on the final day to win a PDC Tour Card. If he succeeds, Leek and Mason Whitlock will decide between themselves who will join Heta at the World Cup of Darts.
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.
GRIFFIN AND LEEK GET THEIR CARDS! 🏆
Rhys Griffin and Adam Leek are the second pair to earn their Tour Cards at the 2026 Qualifying School, as Griffin regains his card, whilst Leek secures his for the first time
🇬🇧 bit.ly/26UKS2D1