GAWLAS ADMITS LOSING TOUR CARD SAVED HIS LOVE FOR DARTS
23/02/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
ADAM GAWLAS admits losing his Tour Card actually helped save his love for darts.
‘Flawlas’ dropped out of the top 64 on the Order of Merit in January 2025, costing him his place on the professional circuit.
But the Czech star regained his privileges at Q-school this year and insists the setback proved to be a turning point.
The 24-year-old has been in great form reaching the semi-final of Players Championship One and qualifying for two Euro Tour events.
Gawlas believes being away from the relentless treadmill of the PDC calendar gave him time to reset physically and mentally.
He said: “I think the one year when I didn’t have a Tour Card helped me a lot.
“The schedule is so busy. I know when Luke Humphries said after winning the Players Championship that he will have 15 days off because he wants to spend time with his family.
“The rest of the days, when I am not playing, he is doing the Premier League, European Tour and other stuff.
“I think the year off helped me a lot to think. I really like to be there and I’m really happy now.”
Former pro Paul Nicholson reckons Gawlas is finally rediscovering the swagger that first made him stand out on tour.
He added: “I remember when he made his debut, we were all looking at each other as if to say, who is he?
“He grabbed us by the throat on his debut. We all thought Czech darts had got someone who is not Karel Sedlacek.
“The pace, the grip and the look on his face have not changed. What has changed is maybe what we can’t see — a thing called confidence.
“I’ve not seen him look like that for years. He looks confident and borderline cocky.”
Gawlas edged out Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-5 in a thrilling first-round clash at the Poland Darts Masters before his run was ended by Jonny Clayton.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
