"Think the one year when I didn’t have a Tour Card helped me a lot" – Adam Gawlas makes a striking admission and has rediscovered his love for darts

Adam Gawlas has recently admitted that losing his Tour Card saved his love for darts. The Czech fell outside the top 64 of the Order of Merit in January 2025 and with that lost his place on the PDC circuit. A heavy setback for the 24-year-old, who early in his career was seen as a rising talent.

Yet that enforced step back turned out to be a blessing in hindsight. “Flawlas” managed to win back his Tour Card at Q-School this past January, and according to him that year without obligations was exactly what he needed.

Gawlas has started the season strongly. He reached the semi-finals of Players Championship 1 and qualified for two Euro Tour events. According to the Czech, the year outside the top 64 gave him room to reset physically and mentally, away from the punishing PDC calendar.

“I think the one year when I didn’t have a Tour Card helped me a lot," said the Czech ace. "The schedule is so busy. I know when Luke Humphries said after winning the Players Championship that he will have 15 days off because he wants to spend time with his family."

“The rest of the days, when I am not playing, he is doing the Premier League, European Tour and other stuff. I think the year off helped me a lot to think. I really like to be there and I’m really happy now.”

Former pro Paul Nicholson also sees a rejuvenated Gawlas. The Australian still clearly remembers the Czech’s arrival on the big stage.

"I remember when he made his debut, we were all looking at each other as if to say, who is he? He grabbed us by the throat on his debut. We all thought Czech darts had got someone who is not Karel Sedlacek.

“The pace, the grip and the look on his face have not changed. What has changed is maybe what we can’t see — a thing called confidence. I’ve not seen him look like that for years. He looks confident and borderline cocky.”

That renewed swagger was also visible at the Poland Darts Masters. Gawlas battled past Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-5 in a thrilling first round before bowing out against Jonny Clayton.