INTERVIEW: Telnekes set to become full time professional after claiming PDC Tour Card at Q-School: “I can fully focus on darts and no longer have to work”

Derk Telnekes was one of a host of players to claim PDC Tour Cards at the recent European Q-School.

Telnekes barring those who follow the BDO isn’t that well known and so in a recent interview in the aftermath of Q-School, we let him introduce himself.

“I am 24 years old and I am the father of a son and daughter. I am currently working as a bathroom mirror maker, but next week I will stop doing that because I will be a full-time professional on the PDC Tour”, Telnekes said to Dartsnews.com.

In 2018 and 2019 Telnekes played at the BDO World Championship, but this year he wasn’t involved. As a result he played in the PDC qualifying tournament where he had match darts to Jan Dekker.

He admitted he was gearing up as a result for his move to the PDC and that missing out on the Alexandra Palace spurred him on.

“I had already missed a few tournaments at the BDO and it was not feasible to reach the World Championship. That is why I participated in the World Championship qualifying tournament at the PDC. Unfortunately I missed three match darts there to claim the spot. As a result, it gave me the boost to register for Q-School.”

Experience from the BDO helped Telnekes in Q-School

Yet the Dutchman did not go to Q-School with too high expectations. “I certainly did not assume that I would win a Tour Card in advance. In retrospect, however, I have achieved a very consistent level for four days and assured myself of a Tour Card through the Order of Merit. The experience from the BDO, where the floor matches are often very tough, certainly helped me.”

Finally, we asked Telnekes about his plans for the next two years. “I'm going to enjoy and practice a lot anyway. Moreover, now made possible by my sponsor, I can fully focus on darts and no longer have to work. Of course I want to get as far as possible in the PDC and keep looking positively, even if there are some disappointments.”