Gian van Veen will start the year of 2023 as a Professional Darts Corporation Tour Card holder, after coming through Qualifying School at ninth on the Order of Merit with the top ten players making it onto the Pro Tour.
The Red Dragon star spoke to Darts World this week and his excitedment was palpable:
“I’m very excited, last year I got a small taste of what its like to be on the Pro Tours and Euro Tours, and I can’t wait to get started as a full-time pro.”
GVV included wins over the likes of Christian Kist winning a last leg decider in the L32 on Day 3, as well as multiple victories over the fancied Benjamin Pratnemer and a 6-2 win over Vitezslav Sedlak, which secured his first tour card on his third attempt at Qualifying School in Kalkar.
“It was four days; I didn’t have to play the first stage which was good for me. But it was four days of hard work, I played ok, I didn’t play to my best but at that pressure, I don’t think anyone can blame me for not being at my best, but I did what’s necessary and I got the tour card”.
The young Dutchman reached the Final of Players Championship 29, losing to former World Champion Gerwyn Price 8-4 in the Final. The 20-year-old also appeared at the Players Championship Finals after it was announced Peter Wright was withdrawing from the event due to family issues.
“Last year I showed everyone what I can do and the names that I beat, that of course gave me a lot of confidence especially going into this year. Everything is new and I know what to expect, and it was massive to have the year that I had last year.”
The MODUS events have helped in more recent times to keep non tour card holders consistently playing darts, with Van Veen playing and winning in the round robin format competition of the Online Live League, before being changed into the Super Series last year.
GVV beat Nathan Girvin 4-1 in the Final of Week 4 Phase 4 as well as averaging 103.21 in beating Conor Heneghan 4-2.
“The last time on the stage in front of the cameras is a massive experience, even without a crowd you still get experience with the camera because you know everyone is watching. With the Round Robin stage, you know if you lose a game, it’s not over, but you still want to win every game which is a different mindset to the PDC tournaments. It was a very good experience, and it really helped my game.”
The youngster is excited for what’s to come in 2023 and is targeting a spot in the 2024 World Darts Championship, with many dart player’s dream to play on the famous Ally Pally stage in front of the sport’s most lively crowd.
“The main goal for this year is to qualify for the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace and making a Final last year I would like to do that again. I think that may be too much to ask for in a first year, but yeah qualify for the Players Championship Finals and qualify for the World Championship and if I make that it will be a successful year”.
The PDC Players Championship events kick starts on the 11th of February live on PDC TV from the Barnsley Metrodome, with Gian and the rest of the PDC field including reigning World Champion Michael Smith kick starting their 2023 PDC campaigns.
Thefull interview with Gian will be available via Darts World’s You Tube Channel, and our digital publications, soon
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Images: PDC
