How the kiss of a toy goat helped secure Samuel Price a PDC Tour Card at Q-School: "My son gave it to me yesterday - the rest is history”

Samuel Price has secured his first PDC Tour Card in emotional and remarkable fashion. The 32-year-old Englishman clinched a coveted spot on the PDC circuit through the end of 2027 at Arena MK in Milton Keynes.

In a nerve-jangling decider against Lewis Pride, Price kept his composure at the right moment, but before his winning dart an unusual ritual drew attention: he kissed a small toy goat his son had given him.

For Price, earning his PDC Tour Card was the culmination of years of hard work, setbacks, and perseverance. The Englishman had never previously held a PDC Tour Card, but seized his chance with both hands at Q-School.

The road was tough and full of tension, with the decisive match against Pride the absolute high point, or low point, depending on your perspective.

The clash with Lewis Pride was one to remember. Price came under pressure several times and even survived a match dart against him. Where others might have folded under the strain, Price remained remarkably calm. In the deciding leg he found double five to seal his PDC Tour Card.

Just before that winning throw, Price was seen kissing a small toy goat. That moment was anything but coincidental. “It’s not got a name,” Price said afterwards. “[My son is] going to be three years old next week, while I’m at Challenge Tour. Thankfully, now, I can actually see him on his third birthday. He gave it to me before I came yesterday and he wished me luck."

The Englishman smiled, but the emotion was clear. “Do you know what? I think I kissed it before I threw that double five. It went in. He gave it to me yesterday morning and the rest is history.”

Securing his PDC Tour Card was anything but a given. Earlier this week, Price was on the brink of elimination and almost missed the final phase and automatic qualification. He ultimately booked his place with a narrow win over George Killington in a deciding leg.

Price then embarked on an impressive run. He defeated Derek Coulson with an average of 102, immediately showing he was ready for the next step in terms of level. He then knocked out former World Youth Champion Arron Monk, before Stephen Burton also fell.

All those victories carried Price into the winner-takes-all match against Pride, where he held firm despite immense pressure. “I’m lost for words. This is a dream. I just made my dream come true," he added. “I’ve never felt so much pressure in my life. I felt like I played well. I had a couple of good averages.”

With his PDC Tour Card in hand, Samuel Price can test himself against the best players in the world in the coming seasons. For the 32-year-old Englishman, it feels like a fresh start but also a reward for years of dedication to the sport.