Discover the formidable Dutch presence on the PDC Pro Tour! This year, 24 talented players from the Netherlands (including two with strong Dutch roots) hold coveted Tour Cards, granting them access to the highest level of professional darts. From legendary world champions to exciting newcomers, this article provides a comprehensive overview of each player, highlighting their achievements, unique nicknames, and current standings. Get ready to meet the ‘Orange Arrows’ who are set to dominate the oche!
The Dutch Darts Heavyweights: Champions and Top Contenders
The Netherlands boasts an incredible roster of darts talent, with several players consistently ranking among the world’s best. These are the names that strike fear into opponents and regularly compete for major titles.
Michael van Gerwen
- Born: April 25, 1989 in Boxtel
- World Ranking: 4
- Nickname: ‘Mighty Mike’
- Key Titles: 3x PDC World Championship, 3x World Matchplay, 7x Premier League, 6x World Grand Prix, 3x UK Open, 3x Grand Slam of Darts, 7x Players Championship Finals, 4x European Championship
- Highest Recorded Average: 123.40
Danny Noppert
- Born: December 31, 1990 in Joure
- World Ranking: 10
- Nickname: ‘The Freeze’
- Key Titles: 1x UK Open, 1x Finder Darts Masters, 5x Players Championship
- Highest Recorded Average: 110.30
Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Born: March 9, 1988 in Westervoort
- World Ranking: 18
- Nickname: ‘The Machine Gun’
- Key Titles: 2x Players Championship, 1x German Gold Cup, 1x Malta Open
- Highest Recorded Average: 112.20
Raymond van Barneveld
- Born: April 20, 1967 in The Hague
- World Ranking: 36
- Nickname: ‘Barney’
- Key Titles: 4x BDO World Championship, 1x PDC World Championship, 2x UK Open, 1x Premier League, 1x Grand Slam of Darts, 2x BDO World Masters, 2x BDO World Trophy
- Highest Recorded Average: 115.73
Established Contenders and Rising Stars
Beyond the top tier, a strong contingent of Dutch players are making their mark, consistently pushing for titles and climbing the rankings. These players are proven talents with a bright future.
Gian van Veen
- Born: April 23, 2002 in Poederoijen
- World Ranking: 3
- Nickname: ‘The Giant’
- Key Titles: 1x European Championship, 1x Players Championship, 2x PDC World Youth Championship, 9x Development Tour events
- Highest Recorded Average: 115.92
Vincent van der Voort
- Born: June 30, 1992 in Katwijk aan Zee
- World Ranking: 30
- Nickname: ‘Titan’ / ‘Aubergenius’
- Key Titles: 6x Players Championship
- Highest Recorded Average: 117.74
Kevin Doets
- Born: June 26, 2000 in Uitgeest
- World Ranking: 27
- Nickname: –
- Key Titles: 3x Players Championship, 12x Development Tour events, 2x Denmark Masters Youth
- Highest Recorded Average: 116.87
Niels Zonneveld
- Born: May 5, 1998 in Almere
- World Ranking: 38
- Nickname: ‘Hawkeye’
- Key Titles: 3x Development Tour events, 2x Challenge Tour events, 1x Catalonia Open
- Highest Recorded Average: 109.98
Jeffrey de Zwaan
- Born: July 22, 1998 in Uitgeest
- World Ranking: 41
- Nickname: ‘Triple Z’
- Key Titles: 2x Development Tour events
- Highest Recorded Average: 111.33
Jelle Klaasen
- Born: July 10, 1981 in Ossenzijl
- World Ranking: 57
- Nickname: ‘Flyers’
- Key Titles: 1x Dutch Open, 1x British Open, 1x Scottish Open, 1x Italian Grand Masters, 1x Denmark Masters, 1x WDF Europe Cup
- Highest Recorded Average: 108.05
Maik Kuivenhoven
- Born: March 4, 1990 in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht
- World Ranking: 68
- Nickname: –
- Key Titles: 2x WDF World Masters, 1x Players Championship, 4x Challenge Tour events
- Highest Recorded Average: 109.28
Jeffrey Sparidaans
- Born: September 25, 1988 in Naaldwijk
- World Ranking: 74
- Nickname: –
- Key Titles: 1x NDB-ranking event
- Highest Recorded Average: 107.53
Martijn Kleermaker
- Born: April 22, 1986 in Mariënberg
- World Ranking: 79
- Nickname: ‘The Lipstick’
- Key Titles: 1x BDO World Championship, 3x Challenge Tour events
- Highest Recorded Average: 109.20
Wessel Nijman
- Born: October 22, 1991 in Hengelo
- World Ranking: 82
- Nickname: –
- Key Titles: 1x British Classic, 1x Swedish Masters
- Highest Recorded Average: 106.06
Damian Mol
- Born: July 2, 2000 in Delft
- World Ranking: 83
- Nickname: ‘The Terminator’
- Key Titles: 1x Super Series Champions Week
- Highest Recorded Average: 100.20
New Faces and Tour Card Holders
The PDC Pro Tour also welcomes several new Dutch talents and established players who have recently secured their Tour Cards, eager to make their mark on the professional circuit.
Richard Veenstra
- Born: October 2, 1993 in Breda
- World Ranking: New
- Nickname: ‘The Dutch Sequoia’
- Key Titles: 1x WDF World Championship, 1x WDF World Masters, 1x Challenge Tour event
- Highest Recorded Average: 112.16
Berry van Peer
- Born: March 26, 1996 in Rijswijk
- World Ranking: New
- Nickname: ‘The Black Cobra’
- Key Titles: 2x Players Championship, 2x Development Tour events
- Highest Recorded Average: 112.20
Christian Kist
- Born: January 17, 1981 in Wapenveld
- World Ranking: New
- Nickname: ‘The Countryman’
- Key Titles: 1x Challenge Tour event, 1x Italian Open, 1x Catalonia Open, 1x Northern Ireland Matchplay
- Highest Recorded Average: 104.04
Patrick Geeraets
- Born: July 12, 1988 in Bodegraven
- World Ranking: New
- Nickname: –
- Key Titles: None listed
- Highest Recorded Average: 99.87
Benito van de Pas
- Born: March 20, 1994 in Dommelen
- World Ranking: New
- Nickname: ‘The Great’
- Key Titles: 2x Challenge Tour events
- Highest Recorded Average: 104.73
Jermaine Wattimena
- Born: September 8, 1993 in Tilburg
- World Ranking: New
- Nickname: ‘Jefke’
- Key Titles: 1x Dutch Open
- Highest Recorded Average: 101.91
Owen Roelofs
- Born: December 4, 2002 in Zevenhuizen
- World Ranking: New
- Nickname: –
- Key Titles: 3x Challenge Tour events, 5x Development Tour events, 1x JDC World Championship, 1x World Masters Youth
- Highest Recorded Average: 109.98
The “Half-Countrymen” on Tour
Rounding out the Dutch contingent are two players with strong ties to the Netherlands, adding to the formidable presence on the PDC Pro Tour.
Chris Landman
- Born: November 21, 1990 in Den Helder
- World Ranking: 50
- Nickname: –
- Key Titles: 1x Players Championship, 5x PDCNB Tour events, 2x Denmark Masters
- Highest Recorded Average: 105.80
Geert Nentjes
- Born: October 9, 1987 in Bovenkarspel
- World Ranking: 73
- Nickname: ‘The Sheriff’
- Key Titles: 1x PDCNB Tour event
- Highest Recorded Average: 106.67
Understanding the PDC Tour Card
A PDC Tour Card is a highly sought-after credential in the world of professional darts. It grants players access to all Players Championship events and UK Open qualifiers throughout the season. These events offer significant prize money and ranking points, crucial for qualifying for major televised tournaments such as the World Championship, World Matchplay, and Grand Prix. Securing a Tour Card is a testament to a player’s skill and dedication, often achieved through the rigorous Qualifying School (Q-School) or by maintaining a high enough position on the PDC Order of Merit.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
