WHITE ADMITS GRIND OF TOUR LIFE IS TAKING ITS TOLL
20/05/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
IAN WHITE has admitted the relentless grind of life on the road is taking its toll.
The Diamond has made a solid start to the campaign, reaching the semi-finals of Players Championship 16 before being knocked out by eventual winner Andrew Gilding.
But White, who has been on the professional circuit for more than a decade, revealed that spending weeks away from home is no longer as easy as it once was.
The world No.55 says constant travelling has become increasingly difficult with age.
White insists he has no desire to return to the elite level, despite still enjoying competing and harbouring hopes of making a return to the TV stage.
He told BigJake on TikTok: “I want to get back on TV — I enjoy it. Do I want to get into the top 16? Probably not. I’ve got past all the travelling now and enjoying it.
“I enjoy the games. But I’ve been away now for the past three weeks and it’s hard work. The older you get, it is different.
“I enjoy the game and I think the PDC is good. I want to keep my Tour Card and be there for a long time.
“I’ve not missed a ProTour since I started in 2010. I have never missed a ProTour. So we will see how we go.”
White has won three European Tour titles and TEN Players Championship crowns during his stellar career.
The Stoke-on-Trent thrower enjoyed his best run on the major stage in 2019, when he reached the semi-finals of the Players Championship Finals.
White offered some advice to aspiring players dreaming of one day turning professional
He added: “Enjoy the game, keep practising. I have done it for years, you will get that break. Hopefully you will get on the PDC Tour.
“Don’t get me wrong, the travelling is hard and being away from home is hard. But if you like that lifestyle, it is the best thing ever.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
