“I had to wait, wait, wait” – Van der Velde officially a Tour Card holder after a nerve-racking day at Q-School

After a nerve-racking final day at Q-School 2026, Jurjen van der Velde can call himself a Tour Card holder. In Kalkar, Germany, the Dutchman secured a PDC Tour Card for two years, marking his return to the professional circuit. The release of emotion was huge, because it was anything but easy.

“It was a very tough day,” Van der Velde admitted immediately afterwards. “Not just tough, but nerve-racking.” Q-School is known as an endurance test, where focus and timing are crucial. For Van der Velde, it was a day of highs and lows. “It was light green and dark green,” he said with a flair for imagery. “That’s a big difference. But I’m really happy that I won the important game.”

After his decisive match, it was far from over. Van der Velde had to wait, and the wait dragged on. Sitting at a table, he watched other matches play out, knowing his fate wasn’t entirely in his own hands. “I had to wait, wait, wait,” is how he described the moment. In the end, he was reliant on Jeffrey de Zwaan, who had to win his match. “And he did,” Van der Velde said, clearly relieved. “Then I was really happy.”

He shared that joy immediately with his girlfriend. “We were both really happy,” he said. “I’m especially glad to be back on the Tour. A Tour Card for two years, that’s what you do it for.”

Van der Velde has already proven himself on the big stage. In the past, he reached the final of the World Youth Championship, an experience that he says made him stronger. “I think I’m stronger now than the last time,” he explained. “I learned a lot from that final against Gian van Veen on the big stage. That helps me a lot now.”

The extra match experience from the recent period also plays a role. “I’ve played several times in the MODUS Super Series on stage, as well as the Grand Slam and World Championship,” said Van der Velde. “Because of that, I feel more ready than ever before.” What can the darts world expect from him over the next two years? Van der Velde remains grounded but confident. “You’ll see,” he said with a smile. “I’m going to do my best. I’m ready.”