"I'm playing the best darts I've ever played and I feel like I'm getting better" - Jim Long (56) ready to make an impact on PDC Pro Tour debut
PDCTuesday, 21 January 2025 at 12:00
At UK Q-School 2025, Jim Long recently captured a PDC Tour Card for the first time in his career. The 56-year-old Canadian won the last tournament at the Final Stage, allowing him to compete on the Pro Tour for the next two years.
For Long, the Tour Card came as a surprise. "I thought there was a an opportunity of course, but there's such a strong field there," reflects the two-time PDC World Darts Championship competitor in conversation with Tungsten Tales. "It's terribly difficult to get your Tour Card, so I didn't it at all. I just wanted to go and play, and now I've got to plan things differently."
Given he now has a Tour Card though, Long is looking to make the most of it. "I got the PDC calendar on my phone and I started filling in where we travel to and from. I wasn't aware that it would be like England for two or three days, and then the next week it's in the Netherlands. So it's going to be pretty crazy," says the Canadian. "It's pretty exciting honestly!"
Jim Long captured his PDC Tour Card earlier this month
Long has played on the MODUS Super Series and on the Seniors Tour in recent years. He also competed domestically on the CDC Tour (for players from North America). "I planned on going to Q-School years ago. But it was right after I was retiring and then it was covid and I was like man, I don't want to go pay my money, get tested for being positive for covid and then not even be able to play," he recalls. "I was pretty pretty happy and content to be playing the Challenge Tour this upcoming year. That's where I kind of expected to be.
Following in the footsteps of the likes of John Part, Jeff Smith and Matt Campbell, Long also continues the Canadian darting story. "I'm playing the best darts I've ever played and I feel like I'm getting better still," Long adds in conclusion, outlining his excitement to join the aforementioned Campbell in the Canadian World Cup of Darts team. "Matt and I get along great. So yeah, it could be the high point of getting my Tour Card!"
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- The statement from Hearn that "People will be able to watch what they want to watch, the sports they want to watch, when they want to watch it and for a price they can afford" is bizarre. Sport only works when it is shown live - very few people pull a 'Likely Lads' and try to avoid a result so they can watch highlights later. And if darts disappears off free to air ITV, it certainly won't go to the BBC, who couldn't afford it, even if they were interested. So, that leaves Channel 4 or maybe Channel 5. More likely the ITV package will go to someone like Netflix and the rest stay with Sky. There won't actually be any free to air darts at all.StraightArrowNoBull06-05-2025
- Yes, he can't look good in a football shirt. Good god, couldn't they find a better fitting shirt.richieburnettrocks04-05-2025
- ITV coverage is far superior to SKY It is excellent, always very interesting from an extremely knowledgeable team. I love Chris Mason, Jacqui, Alan and Ned, brilliant presenters and so enjoyable. ITV are also losing their absolutely fantastic Tour de France coverage. They do not get enough credit for the fantastic job they do. What the fudge do BBC do with darts? They let go of the Lakeside and that really helped with sinking the BDO.richieburnettrocks04-05-2025
- Under the tutelage of the Hearns who think they are a law unto themselves when it comes to Sport, so does Porter. Under UK law a woman is now defined by biology therefore that makes Van Leuvan a man in the eyes of the law and should not be playing in womens competitions, entering changing rooms, toilets, etc.Mysstree02-05-2025
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- I agree! It would be the best if the aforementioned ban were to be imposed. Hope is a good thing, Mysstree.MrYnyslas197119-04-2025