"It's make or break for everyone... You can feel the tension increasing" - Maik Kuivenhoven survives dramatic Q-School 2025 to reclaim PDC Tour Card

Maik Kuivenhoven was one of the four players who won a direct PDC Tour Card at Q-School 2025, winning the final day of European Q-School in Kalkar. The Dutchman was already sure of a Tour Card on the final day via the Order of Merit, but still managed to end the week in style by advancing to the final where he defeated Croatia's Pero Ljubic 6-3.

Kuivenhoven has now secured a PDC Tour Card through Q-School for the third time in his career. The Dutchman had already been in possession of a Tour Card in recent years, but after a disappointing 2024 he dropped in the world rankings and lost it, making for a nervy and dramatic return to Q-School. "You can imagine the special atmosphere at this four-day qualifying event. It's make or break for everyone. As the tournament progresses, you can feel the all-or-nothing tension increasing among the participants," he explains in quotes collected by AD.

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"Especially that last day, you see a lot of surprises. It's not for everyone to bring out the best in themselves under those circumstances," said Kuivenhoven, who managed to keep his own nerves well under control. "Of course I too had nerves, but fortunately I managed to stay as calm as possible."

Despite securing another two years on the PDC Pro Tour on Sunday, Kuivenhoven quickly had to return to work on Monday morning. The 36-year-old is employed as a manager of the assembly department at a gardening aerial platform company.

So it will be another puzzle next year to combine his work with darts, although he hopes he can find the right balance. "I'm discussing at work whether I can get more time off at certain times. To prepare myself optimally. If I can train every day leading up to a big tournament, that will definitely pay off," Kuivenhoven concludes.

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