Jules van Dongen on reclaiming Tour Card: ''Now I can start with a clean slate''

Jules van Dongen two years ago became the second American ever to grab a Tour Card, but did not manage to perform enough to keep it over the following two seasons.

Last week, Van Dongen managed to regain his Tour Card at Q-School. The Dutch American was guest on the podcast 'Double Top', where he talked about his experiences on the Pro Tour and his debut at the World Darts Championship.

For Van Dongen, his first year on the Pro Tour in 2022 was tough. ''I never played at a high level and you come out of nowhere among the best players in the world. That does impress you. Before you know it, your first year is over and you've accomplished nothing.'' In the last six months of 2023 however, Van Dongen began to play a lot better. "I just started thinking less and throwing faster. For me, confidence comes with wins. I started winning and then I got into good form.''

Due to his results on the Pro Tour in 2023, Van Dongen managed to force his debut at the World Darts Championship. However, he lost his first match at the Alexandra Palace 3-1 in sets to Darren Penhall. ''He played better than I expected, but I didn't play at my best myself. I'm not happy with the result, but I enjoyed it.'' Despite reaching the World Darts Championship and the Players Championship Finals, Van Dongen finished outside the top-64 at the end of the season and had to return to Q-School. On day three of Q-School, Van Dongen was able to secure his return to the Pro Tour.

Now that Van Dongen has his Tour Card back, he can put his experience of the past two years to good use. ''Now I can start with a clean slate. My first year on the Tour was shocking, that's not going to happen to me now. I will now be there from day one and no longer be afraid to play against certain players.'' Van Dongen indicated that he has to make a lot of sacrifices as a professional dart player and therefore has to grow in order to continue. ''I just have to perform now and that is what I am going to judge myself on. If I have to go to Q-School again in two years, I don't know if I'm going to do that.''