Martijn Kleermaker has been one of the players to watch during his first year in the PDC after claiming his Tour Card in January which followed a run as one of the best players in the BDO.

Kleermaker is now in the position to potentially qualify for the World Grand Prix with £5,750 earned at the PDC Summer Series and with him being just outside the qualification spots, he could make his debut in the double in event.

“I was really happy with the way I played in Milton Keynes! I played a couple of really good matches. Now I want to go on and try to do better and better! I think the bubble was a good situation. Everything was clear and the most important thing, we were able to play again and that’s what we want!” said Kleermaker to DartsNews.

A lot has been made about potentially keeping the system of five events running permanently and for the Dutch Giant, he is in favour of playing the events in blocks. “If it was up to me I would do more series and less weekends. I like this system of playing five days.”

There has been no action though since the Summer Series and despite the Autumn Series being on it’s way next month, questions have been raised whether more events should have been played in this time.

Kleermaker sees it differently; while he would want to, other organisations such as the WDF and BDO are not running tournaments at all. “It’s hard in this COVID time to arrange that. I am happy with the PDC that they are making sure we can play. If I didn't have my Tour Card this moment then it is really hard because there aren't big tournaments in the WDF or BDO. So I am happy that I can play!”

The Dutchman has been fairly open with his criticism of the BDO in the past and in particular it’s chairman, Des Jacklin and as a result, he is really pleased to be in the PDC. “PDC is so much more professional. They are there for the players and in this time of COVID; they still think about the players and try to arrange things. So I am really happy to be a PDC player!”

In terms of the aforementioned potential qualification for the World Grand Prix, he didn’t expect it but is raring to go ahead of the Autumn Series: “In the beginning of the year I didn't have the goal to reach the World Grand Prix because you have to play really good in your first year to reach it. But now I am close I will give my best shot in Germany and we will see what happens. My form is still good so let's bring it on.”

In addition, other goals for Kleermaker include making the World Championship and so everything else is a bonus: “My main goal was reaching the World Championships; and I wanted to reach the European Championship and Players Championship Finals. For those three I’ve got a good chance. For the first year these three events will be great! If I can reach more, that would be awesome.”

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