JULES VAN DONGEN is set to return to the darts PDC Pro Tour after months out following a crisis in form and confidence.
The 35-year-old has announced that he will be back just weeks after believing his days on the circuit were over.
Jules van Dongen took a break from darts following poor form and confidence issues[/caption]
The Dutch Dragon will now return to the oche with a changed technique as he prepares to throw left-handed[/caption]
In a post on Facebook, he wrote: “After the World Cup my confidence and joy in the game was at an all-time low.
“I decided to fully commit to the left hand. In July I was convinced my darting days were over, now I’m optimistic and hopeful.”
Van Dongen, The Dutch Dragon, has switched to throwing with his ‘weaker’ left hand after dropping to 151st in the world rankings.
He is yet to win in 2025 and is on a 13-match losing streak dating back to November last year.
During that run he has averaged as low as 57.23 and lost 6-0 and 6-1 five times, including to Luke Littler at the World Series.
Van Dongen was last seen in action at the North American Championship where he was beaten by Stowe Buntz.
On X, he added: “Decided to sign up for the last pro tours and grand slam qualifier at the end of next month. Throwing lefty of course [fingers crossed emoji]”.
Van Dongen will now compete in the final Players Championship events as well as the Grand Slam of Darts qualifiers.
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He continued: “I now have enough confidence and joy in playing darts that I’m actually looking forward to going to England and playing on the Pro Tour one more time.
“Four years of Pro Tour is coming to an end in a few months. Q School is too early for me in January, but as I (hopefully) become more competitive left-handed I will pick tournaments on the WDF circuit to start building again. My goal is Q School 2027.”
He finished: “Never give up, never give in.”
Van Dongen, who is based in America but was born in the Netherlands, has gone through personal difficulties with the illness to his parents, as well as suffering from dartitis.
The issues led to him changing throwing hands with a planned break from competitive action.
Speaking earlier this year, he said: “Once this run is over, the darts are going back in the case. It’s time for a full reset.
“One day I say I’m not playing, the next I’m back in again. But for now, I’ll be up there on the stage.
“Expectations are lower now and that actually helps. At the UK Open, not everyone realised how badly things were going. By now, it’s pretty clear.”
He added: “I just want to give it one last proper go. No pressure, no expectations, just me, my family and the stage at The Garden.”
