VAN SCHIE REVEALS PACT WITH GIRLFRIEND TO CHASE DARTS DREAM

JIMMY VAN SCHIE hasn’t worked for SEVERAL YEARS after striking a pact with his girlfriend to chase his darting dreams.

The Dutchman had a brilliant 2025 campaign clinching both the WDF World Masters crown and the prestigious Lakeside World Championship title.

“The Dutch Sequoia” secured a PDC Tour Card last weekend at European Q-school.

Van Schie banished the disappointment of last year’s near miss, finally achieving his goal to compete on the professional circuit.

He told Sport Nieuws: “All those awkward moments and feelings have vanished in one fell swoop.

“From the moment I won the World Masters in November, a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders.

“That’s when I showed my emotions, something I normally never do. I thought: ‘See, I can play darts.’”

For players like Van Schie, balancing the demands of elite competition with ongoing financial uncertainty can be particularly challenging.

Outside of the PDC’s highest earners, only a small number of players can afford to focus solely on the flying tungsten.

For the 32-year-old, however, an agreement with his partner has made it possible to commit fully to competing at the sport’s top level.

He added: “I haven’t worked for years.

“I’ve made an agreement with my girlfriend that I can fully dedicate myself to darts and that she can work. I’m very happy with that freedom.”

Van Schie is now aiming to increase his earnings, helped by a £7 million rise in prize money across all PDC Tour events this year.

He continued: “That’s fantastic, of course, and it’s great timing that I can now start earning a lot of money.

“I want to reach the Euro Tour for the first time and win as many rounds as possible on floor tournaments.

“I’m not putting too much pressure on myself; I have two years to perform.

“There’s no better way to end the year; I’ve finished the WDF. It’s a shame, of course, that I can’t defend my world title at Lakeside, but I’d rather be at Ally Pally; that’s my dream”

Image by Chris Sargeant/Tip Top Pics