Kai Gotthardt will make his full PDC ProTour debut in 2025 after earning his Tour Card for the next two years in European Q School. The German was perhaps one of the best players without a Tour Card for a while, and he finally lived up to his expectations.
As he mentioned to PDC’s Jacques Nieuwlaat, he played one of his best friends in Steven Noster in the final, defeating Stefaan Henderyck, Davy Proosten, Michael Unterbuchner, Jamai van den Herik, Boris Krcmar and Jeroen Mioch.
Gotthardt also averaged 109 en route to sealing his Tour Card and had his best average to date as he sealed an important win. Now maybe he can’t wait to fight against the best and leave his mark on the PDC Tour.
He spoke later with emotion and said that he had waited a long time for this, but in the end he showed that all the hard work was worth it, and also noted that his debut in the World Championships gave him the fuel he needed to succeed.
“It was a really long day and I had to play in the final against one of my best mates. I am delighted, I have no words for it,” said Gotthardt, moved.
“I played for 20 years, I think I played in 6 or 7 Q-Schools and now this is the thing. I’m starting my career. I feel much more confident, I played in the World Cup. I’m playing very well early on and I can bring that here.”
“I have my Tour Card and that’s the most important thing.”
He joins Viktor Tingstrom, who received his Tour Card on day one. Cor Dekker is very likely to join them, although given the PDC Q-School rules, he will have to play all four days. To make matters worse, Bradley Brooks already has 10 points in the UK but cannot return home.
But Gotthardt certainly can and will look to the coming year with great joy.
Gotthardt succeeded! 🇩🇪
Kai Gotthardt wins a PDC Tour Card for the first time in his career!
The rising German defeats his compatriot Steven Noster in the last match, which decides about the triumph on the second day of the final stage in Kalkar! pic.twitter.com/wx44AdOmOp
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 10, 2025
