"This means so much to me - A PDC Tour Card? That’s the next step": Jimmy van Schie sets sights on Q-School after Lakeside triumph

In a final that will undoubtedly make it into the history books of the WDF, Jimmy van Schie crowned himself world champion. The 32-year-old Dutchman, long regarded as a dangerous outsider within the circuit, showed not only pure darts ability in the final but above all an impressive mental resilience. Against the only 15-year-old sensation Mitchell Lawrie – the revelation of the tournament – Van Schie fought back from a 3–0 deficit to eventually win the title.

Afterwards, the brand-new world champion spoke candidly about what this victory means to him. “This means so much to me,” he began, visibly emotional. “I’ve seen Mitch Lawrie play the whole week. Such a phenomenal young talent. I know I was up for a big task, and when I was 3–0 down, I’m like, ‘Oh, Jimmy, come on, fight back, fight back.’ And eventually I got the fight back and that 86 finish was really crucial. I managed to put him under pressure and get over the line to win the title. So I’m very, very pleased that I won this game.”

The final initially seemed completely out of hand for Van Schie. Lawrie started furiously, with mature darts that did not suggest his age for a moment. Within no time, Van Schie was looking at a 3–0 deficit. “At that point I thought, ‘Come on Jimmy, fight, fight back,’” he said.

The tipping point came in the fourth set, where Van Schie managed to hit a crucial bullseye. Without that dart, it could easily have been 4–0. “I think it was a turning point, yes,” he acknowledges. “But even if I missed that bullseye, I always believe in myself, even if I’m 5–0 down. I know I’m capable of winning that game. I’m mentally strong enough to try and do that.”

It was a statement that perfectly reflected what the audience subsequently saw, because after that bull the match changed completely.

After winning the fourth set, Van Schie visibly began to loosen up. Trebles were found at lightning speed, especially the familiar treble 20. The Dutchman began sprinkling 180s and even threatened to get the Lakeside audience on their feet with a nine-darter.

Reflecting on the moment, he said: “I first missed that treble 19 and I hit the treble 15 and then missed double 18. Oh God. It is what it is. Maybe next time, we’ll see. It’s just one leg. It’s lovely for the fans as well, but I’m more happy that I won the game. It would have been a confident booster, but it is what it is. And I’m so happy that I won the game, really.”

Although a nine-darter would have been a piece of magic, his priority remained clear: winning the title.

Much of the interview focused on Mitchell Lawrie. Despite the young Scot’s disappointment, Van Schie spoke with deep admiration. “He is such a young talent, such a good player and I’m sure he’ll win this one day. … He won the youth title. Phenomenal. He played really well in this. And we also knew he had two games to play. And it takes a long time. It takes a player to play two games in the night. But he showed me really good stuff. He was 3–0 up against me. He played really good. And then he played a little bit less good. But he’s a phenomenal guy. Phenomenal player. His mum and dad are phenomenal people. The vibe is always good in the practice room. So I wish him all the best for the future. I want to see him win this.”

Van Schie’s journey to the world title has been anything but straightforward. Several years ago, he was focussed on the Challenge Tour, but on the advice of his manager he decided to give the WDF a try. “My WDF manager said to me, ‘Let’s go and play WDF.’ I said, ‘All right, I’ll give it a try.’ And I won the Romanian Open. And I played on the stage again. I felt so nervous. I’m like, ‘Whoa, this is something new again.’ And yeah, I won the Romanian Open. And after that, I felt a hunger again. And I kept winning titles, kept winning titles. And I set goals for myself. And the first goal was to win the World Masters. I won it. And then the second goal was this. And I won this. So I’m so happy with it.”

Naturally, the question followed: what’s next? For Van Schie, the answer is immediate. “Yeah, a Tour Card, of course. That’s the next step. But I was so close last year. I think I bottled a bit. But yeah, I lost in the final the first day. And then I had some tough games after this. But it is what it is. If I had my Tour Card, then I wouldn’t have won this. So, you know, I’m happy.”

The short term holds no tournaments, but plenty of celebrations and family time. “Lots of celebrating,” he grinned. “My dog actually gave birth. So I had to miss my dog for like 10 weeks. So, you know, I’m going to get my dog and my other dog and the puppies as well. … I think I’m going to go for a nice dinner as well. And then maybe a little holiday. And then prepare for Q-School. That’s what I’m going to do.”