Van Veen experiences dream debut on Pro Tour: "Notice myself performing above expectations"
PDCThursday, 04 May 2023 at 18:30
Gian van Veen captured his PDC Tour Card early this year. Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Dutchman has already climbed to 96th place in the world rankings.
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Van Veen is also currently second on the Development Tour (for players under 23). "I can indeed not complain about how it has all turned out so far," Van Veen told AD.nl.
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He is already being predicted a big future in England. "I have also seen that pass by several times, yes. I also notice myself that I am performing above expectations. Am even in the top 10 this calendar year in terms of highest average and most 180s. You don't expect something like that in your first year."
Van Veen already beat several top players this year. "Jonny Clayton (number 7 in the world) said the other day that I should keep going like this. Then I would soon meet him at a major television tournament. He even said that several top players are already taking me into account, that they see what I am doing so far this season. They don't underestimate me. That's a big compliment of course."
Nine-dart finish
The dart player from Poederoijen recently hit a nine darter himself during a Players Championship tournament. "I always thought I would then cheer very exuberantly, but I didn't make a sound. I don't know why, maybe to keep my focus. I was up against compatriot Jermaine Wattimena, and he also said afterwards: 'You throw a nine darter, why don't you cheer?", we had a laugh about that. I'm a bit sad now, it was a very boring reaction haha."
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"The big goal remains the World Championship and I'm already well on my way to that," Van Veen continued. "First of all, the goal is to be in the top 64 in the world after two years, because then I will keep my tour card. After that, we'll look further." With World Championship qualification and the prize money that goes with it, Van Veen can already take a very big step at the end of this year. "Making the top-16 in the world in time, that would be really great."
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.
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- Why is this the main story? He chose not to compete in loads of tournaments,yes he's number 1 in the world,but he does have to turn up at tournaments! Play the next world championship in Dortmund and see if he turns up!!rick6727-08-2026
- This is exactly what I mean,littler survives the 1st round,I think you'll find a lot of other players did. Can you just report on the real sport,and not just 1 person. I like Luke,but this is getting boring now,as Kevin painter once said to Taylor!! The sport is about every player,not 1 who everyone seems to have put the sport on the map.,which he hasn't,he's just got in when the money is massive. Great as he is,it seems like what's the point in anyone trying,he's going to win everything,unless it's in Germany or Australia!!!rick6726-08-2026
- I mean look, Littler's picture is first,wattimena is second and he won! Level it up. I know littler is fantastic,but the sport was here before him,and will be when he's retired. Any player in the top 64/128 can beat each other,it's not big news. Poor Jermaine,wins it,and not even the headline!!rick6726-08-2026
- I appreciate that littler is a fantastic player,but the top 3 articles are about him. Before he'd thrown a dart in the tournament. Level it out a bit, Taylor and van gerwen soon got disliked as the media could only see them,and nobody else seemed to matterrick6725-08-2026
- The two-point Lucky Loser qualifiers are Ross Smith, Robb, Whitlock, Sakai, Ilagan and Toylo. Jermaine is not on the entries list on Dartconnect for the TCH qualifier so the four from the main OoM are probably Searle, Nijman, Dobey, Wattimena.Scoobedybop24-08-2026
- The two-point Lucky Loser qualifiers are Ross Smith, Robb, Whitlock, Sakai, Ilagan and Toylo. Jermaine is not on the entries list on Dartconnect for the TCH qualifier so the four from the main OoM are probably Searle, Nijman, Dobey, Wattimena.Scoobedybop24-08-2026
- I'd happily pay for a site free of Van der Voort's every squeak and utterance.StraightArrowNoBull19-08-2026
- I think you miss the point. It is just a poll if you are willing to pay for an ad-free site. The content stays free.SheGotLegs16-08-2026
- It's great to see Mark Webster looking well,he's a top ladrick6715-08-2026
- I'm sick of everything wanting paying for ad free stuff,every site you go on,it's pay pay for no ads. I mostly dread picking my phone up,as it's subscription required. I'm not surprised I'm bloody skint. Everyone wants to rob you for services that were freerick6714-08-2026
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