The Darts World Cup started on Thursday with a total of fifteen Dutch players. Michael van Gerwen from Vlijmen and Niels Zonneveld from Helvoirt are the Brabant participants. Alexander Merkx (31) from Hapert was active at the World Cup last year, which according to him cannot be compared to other competitions. “The attention from the media and the crowd going crazy, it is the best tournament of the year.”
Merkx was a surprise at the World Cup last year Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) by placing themselves via a ranking just below the absolute world top. This was a dream come true Alexander the Greathis nickname as a darts player. In the first round at the famous Alexandra Palace he won 3-0 against Stephen Burton, after which Chris Dobey proved too strong 3-1.
“Participating in the World Cup has not changed my life. However, I still notice that there are people who recognize me. Customers, for example, or people from the neighborhood who ask if I will be there again,” says the Hapertenaar who participated in the World Darts Championship (WDF) in 2023.
After his World Cup debut, Merkx regularly participated in tournaments of the PDC, the largest darts association, this year. He also throws competitions and tournaments in his own country three to four days a week. Despite the many hours at the board, he was unable to qualify for the World Cup again. “I did have opportunities, but I just fell short. It’s a shame, because of course I would have loved to have been there.”
Yet Merkx has great ambitions in the field of darts. He will apply for a PDC Tour Card via the Q-School in January 2026. “I have already qualified for the main phase and I want to show myself there. If I succeed, I will be assured of the PDC floor tournaments for the next two years. The chance of participating in the television tournaments and of course the World Cup also increases.”
“A full-time career as a darts player is not interesting without a Tour Card.”
He combines darts with his work as a salesman of caravans and campers. A conscious choice. “The mortgage also has to be paid. A full-time career as a darts player is not interesting without a Tour Card. If I do get it next month, I will still work. Less, but I will keep going.”
In the coming weeks he will follow the World Cup via television. With special attention to a number of darts friends. “I have traveled a lot to tournaments with Jamai van den Herik, for example. Wesley Plaisier also receives my encouragement. He asked me if I would come along as his guest, but unfortunately I cannot make it that day. Next year I want to go to London, but not as a spectator. I want to play darts there, I am fully committed to that.”
“He, along with Littler, has the most talent of all.”
Luke Littler is the big favorite for the final victory of the World Cup. Yet Merkx has entered another name as the winner on his list. “I wanted to do something different than most people and go for Michael van Gerwen. Together with Littler, he has the most talent of all. The draw is favorable and if it goes well, he can grow in the tournament. The longer the match, the harder he is to catch.”
