Van Dongen on decision to represent USA over Netherlands in darts: "I feel I can make more of an impact on US darts"
PDC
Jules van Dongen sealed his Tour Card at the turn of the year in shock fashion after only picking up darts in the past few years and his life has changed massively since then going from working in a distillery to being a full time pro.
ADVERTISEMENT
“With all the travel back and forth to England, it was not possible to have a job and do all that,” he tells Daily Star Sport. “I made a decision pretty quick to give it 100 per cent.
“For the year-and-a-half from when I started [taking darts seriously], it felt like everything went my way. But since I got my Tour card, it’s been a wake-up call, like ‘hey, I need to step it up’. It’s been tough, but it’s a learning curve. It’s my first year, I just need to gain experience and get better.
“In June of last year, I played my first real tournament [Van Dongen won a WDF event in Florida]. I have to be careful of setting the bar too high and getting disappointed over and over. I just need to see the positives.”
Part of that is getting used to the crowd and playing at the UK Open prepared him for that.
“At the beginning it’s overwhelming. You look out at the crowd and you’re like ‘oh, that’s going be me in 15 minutes’. It’s hard to keep the nerves in check and get used to that.
“But the more you do it, it becomes a lot easier and you start having more fun on stage rather than focusing on trying to not look like a fool. Now, when I’m on that stage, I enjoy it. I love reacting to the crowd.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Being Dutch-American, there was still intrigue when he played Michael van Gerwen at the US Darts Masters and it lived up to the billing with some comments from Van Gerwen in particular post match when he said that Van Dongen doesn't have 20% of the talent he's got.
“I started really bad but he let me in a little bit and it became a real match,” he reflected on the match. “The crowd got really lively and I started enjoying it.
“I know he might not have been on his A-game but for me it didn’t matter, I just wanted to go on stage and make him sweat, and I think I did that. For me, it was job accomplished.
“Everyone was chanting ‘USA, USA’. I remember MVG said to the crowd a couple of times ‘he’s Dutch, he’s Dutch’. It was a lot of fun, probably the highlight of the year so far, along with the World Cup [Van Dongen represented the US at the World Cup of Darts in June].
But it also begs the question about his nationality being based in the US and making it his home but also being originally from the Netherlands.
ADVERTISEMENT
“When I play darts, I feel really American,” he said. “Because in the Netherlands I believe we have about 19 Tour card holders so there’s plenty of good Dutch players.
“I feel I can make more of an impact on US darts than I can for the Netherlands. Also, I started playing for the US and I feel I owe it to the United States to play for them. I’m pretty proud of it.
“But outside of darts, I’m more Dutch than American, especially if the Netherlands were playing the United States at the World Cup, I’ll be wearing orange for sure.”
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026