Hendriks sets ProTour win goal after Q-School triumph: “That's super hard, but you do play to win”

Last week, five Dutchmen captured a PDC Tour Card at Q-School. One of them is Jimmy Hendriks, who thus returns to the Pro Tour after a three-year absence.

Hendriks did not finish the first two days in the points, but then reached the quarter-finals twice, good for an eighth place in Q-School rankings and enough for a Tour Card. "On the first day I was leading 4-0, but then the opponent threw very well and still won 6-4. Still you give away a 4-0 lead and of course you feel very disappointed. I had in mind that the first time I won a Tour Card I also had a bad start the first two days", said Hendriks to Darts Actueel.

"On the second day the faith came back," Hendriks continued. "I was down 5-4 twice that day, but still won both games with two good last legs. After the match against Damian Mol on day four I knew I had made it 100% and then everything you had done before fell away. All the emotions come off as well, you've practiced so much for it and worked towards it for so long."

The 27-year-old Dutchman was mainly active on the Challenge Tour in recent years and left the WDF tournaments aside. "I think I'm good enough to belong on the PDC Pro Tour, especially for a longer period. I deliberately didn't play the WDF because I've been through that for years and that's not my thing anymore. I just want to be among the best 128 players in the world and show what I can do. I think I can do that if I do what I can do."

Hendriks is very clear about his goals. "I want to get into the top 64 as soon as possible. If you play well enough you will qualify for some Euro Tours. If you play well on the floor you will make it to the Players Championship Finals and the World Championship as well. It's basically one package. My goal is to win a Pro Tour. That's super hard, but you do play to win. That could also be a goal for later. Can you play yourself into a position to get used to making quarterfinals and semifinals on the floor, then the ball will start rolling, of course."