Simon Whitlock is perhaps the most well-known player in professional darts with his charisma, high-class playing standards, and contribution to the international success of Australian and Oceanic players. Known as “The Wizard,” Simon Whitlock has been playing for more than two decades and has achieved great success, including many televised championships, finals at the World Championships, and record attendance at the World Series events. In this article, we will also read about Simon Whitlock darts, nickname, wife, net worth, awards, and more.
Who Is Simon Whitlock?
Simon Whitlock is an Australian professional darts player who has played at the highest level in both BDO (British Darts Organisation) and PDC (Professional Darts Corporation). He is most famous for playing the 2010 PDC World Championship final, winning the 2012 European Championship, and for being a regular player in Premier League Darts and World Series of Darts.
Apart from all the above-mentioned feats, he is appreciated for making darts popular in Australia and New Zealand, giving rise to a whole generation of players from the continent.
Quick Bio: Simon Whitlock
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simon Whitlock |
| Nickname | The Wizard |
| Date of Birth | 3 March 1969 |
| Place of Birth | Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Home Town | Hornsby, Australia (also Waterlooville, England) |
| Professional Since | Early 1990s (BDO), PDC since 2009 |
| Major Titles | European Champion (2012), World Championship Runner-Up (2010) |
| Walk-On Music | “Down Under” by Men at Work |
| Darts Weight | 22g (Winmau/Red Dragon) |
| Career Prize Money | ~£1.6–2.4 million (PDC) |
| World Ranking (2026) | Outside top 64 (Tour Card lost end of 2024) |
Simon Whitlock Age and Date of Birth
Simon Whitlock was born on March 3, 1969, in Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia. As of August 2026, he will be 57 years old.
Simon Whitlock Early Life and Background
Whitlock grew up in New South Wales, Australia and developed a love for darts as a teenager. Whitlock started with local tournaments in Australia, and then moved on to Oceanic tournaments before earning recognition from some of the best teams. His former Australian and Oceanic Masters championships in the sport include a successful start.
Whitlock began playing BDO tournaments in the early 2000s and was an established player by this point. Whitlock joined the PDC in 2009, beginning his rise to prominence as a professional darts player.
Simon Whitlock’s Journey Into Professional Darts
Whitlock was raised in the region of New South Wales, Australia, and it was there that his love for darts was fostered when he was a teenager. At first, Whitlock played in local tournaments in Australia, then in Oceanic tournaments before gaining a reputation in the Oceanic tournaments. His early success in the sport included several Australian and Oceanic Masters championships.
In the early 2000s, Whitlock started playing in BDO tournaments, becoming a recognized player over time. In 2009, Whitlock became a PDC member, and his career in professional darts took off.
Simon Whitlock Professional Darts Career
The defining attributes of Whitlock’s PDC career have been consistency, longevity, and numerous successes:
- 2010: Advanced to the final of the PDC World Championship, where he was beaten 7-3 by Phil Taylor. Got a wildcard into Premier League Darts.
- 2012: Won the European Championship, being the first Australian to win a televised PDC major title. Got to the finals of both the Premier League Darts and the World Cup of Darts (partnering with Paul Nicholson).
- 2010-2024: Regular participant of the Premier League Darts and a top-16 world ranking participant for most of this time frame.
- 2022: Partnered with Damon Heta to win the World Cup of Darts for Australia, one of the best achievements in his career.
- 2024: Lost his Tour Card as he failed to qualify for the 2024/25 World Championship and did not make it into the top 64.
- 2025: Participated in the World Seniors Darts Championship and MODUS Super Series as he was unable to gain back his Tour Card in Q-School.
- 2025-2026: Still participating in World Series tournaments, including making records in the New Zealand Masters.
Simon Whitlock’s Biggest Career Achievements
- PDC World Championship Finalist: 2010 (beaten by Phil Taylor 7–3)
- European Champion: 2012 (first Australian to win a PDC major event on television)
- World Cup of Darts Champion: 2022 (paired with Damon Heta)
- Premier League Darts Finalist: 2012 (beaten by Phil Taylor)
- Won Several World Series Championships: Including the events held in Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland
- Highest Achievement: Most participations (19 times) in World Series of Darts in Australia; most participations (9 times) in the New Zealand Masters
Simon Whitlock World Championship Record
Records of Whitlock’s PDC World Championship include several good appearances; however, the highlight of his career is definitely in 2010:
- 2010: Runner-Up (beaten Phil Taylor 7–3 in the final)
- 2011-2024: Regular participant, qualified for the quarter-finals several times (2011, 2013, 2014)
- 2024-25: Failed to qualify, thus lost his Tour Card
- 2025: Participated in World Seniors Darts Championship (beaten 3-1 by Paul Hogan in round 1)
Overall, Whitlock’s World Championship legacy is defined by his 2010 final appearance and consistent presence at Alexandra Palace for over a decade.
Simon Whitlock and His PDC Career
Whitlock was part of the PDC since 2009 and soon became one of its biggest stars. His winning style, along with his ability to score, made him a crowd favourite on the ProTour and televised circuits.
Some of the most significant achievements of Whitlock during his career with the PDC include:
- Premer League Darts – several participations from 2010 to 2021, with one final at the latter stage in 2012.
- World Series of Darts – regular presence in Australian and New Zealand events since 2013, setting records for most participations in both nations.
- Tour Card Status – maintained his Tour Card consistently from 2011 till the end of 2024, when he fell outside the top 64.
- After 2024 – played senior events and MODUS Super Series while appearing in some World Series tournaments as invited or qualifying in regions.
Simon Whitlock Major Tournament Performances
Whitlock has had impressive showings at most of PDC’s televised events:
- European Championship: Champion in 2012; many more quarter-finals and semi-finals in different years.
- World Matchplay: Semi-finalist in 2010 (defeated by Phil Taylor); multiple times in the quarter-finals.
- Grand Slam of Darts: Frequent entrant with some victories against top 10 players.
- Players Championship Finals: Regular entrant; had many good results during the early 2010s.
- World Cup of Darts: Champion in 2022 (alongside Damon Heta); finalist in 2012 (alongside Paul Nicholson); also a semi-finalist on many other occasions.
Simon Whitlock’s Playing Style and Signature Walk-On
Whitlock is famed for his high scores, especially when shooting 180s under pressure. Whitlock’s throwing technique is fluid and consistent, and he has a good finishing game that involves him hitting impressive checkouts at vital times during his darts.
His signature walk-on music is “Down Under” by Men at Work, the popular and well-known Australian anthem that epitomizes his character. He usually walks onto the stage wearing colorful shirts, and he can also interact with the crowd because of his affable nature.
Simon Whitlock World Ranking and Career Highlights
Whitlock has been a familiar face in the upper 16 for many years in the PDC, having managed to climb into the top 10 in various instances. Currently, in 2026, he is ranked outside the top 64 players because he has lost his Tour Card, with the 2024 season being his last one.
Career highlights include:
- 2010 World Championship final
- 2012 European Championship crown
- 2022 World Cup of Darts triumph
- Career best 19 World Series appearances in Australia
- Career best 9 New Zealand Masters appearances
Simon Whitlock Net Worth
Simon Whitlock has made a significant amount of money in his lengthy professional career in darts through various means such as winning tournaments, sponsorships, exhibitions and other darts-related events. Nevertheless, his total net worth has not been disclosed officially.
The available stats for darts put his total career winnings to be about £2.6 million. This is career earnings and not net worth.
| Financial Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Estimated Career Earnings | Around £2.6 million |
| Major PDC Title | 2012 European Championship |
| 2010 World Championship Prize | £100,000 |
| Main Income Sources | Prize money, sponsorships, appearances |
| Exact Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
Whitlock took home £50,000 when he was the champion in the 2012 European Championships, while he made £100,000 after finishing as a runner-up in the 2010 PDC World Championship. This means that, although Whitlock has undoubtedly made millions playing darts, any exact figure about his net worth in 2026 is speculative.
Simon Whitlock Wife and Personal Life
Simon Whitlock has never really been forthcoming about details about his personal life. However, what can be said is that he has been through two marriages before and has since gotten divorced from both of those marriages. He has identified himself as someone who loves his family and talked about how tough it can be to juggle family life with a professional darts tour schedule.
Whitlock is currently spending time between Australia and England with his darts career being one of the key priorities in his life.
Simon Whitlock Children
Simon Whitlock is the proud father of three sons who he has fathered in his two previous relationships:
- Nicholas Whitlock (1991)
- Mason Whitlock (2003)
- Locky Whitlock (2007)
Out of his three children, it is only Mason Whitlock who has made his father proud by following him into the professional darts circuit. Mason has played in competitions like MODUS Super Series and has even played against his father in one-on-one games with his father complimenting his skills in the game.
Whitlock has spoken proudly of all his sons but does not reveal any other information about them.
Height, Weight and Physical Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | Approximately 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 80 kg |
| Build | Athletic, solid |
| Throwing Hand | Right |
Simon Whitlock Darts Equipment and Playing Setup
- Darts: Winmau/Red Dragon Eagles 22g (tailored to his requirements)
- Position: Balanced, side-on position with rhythmical throwing action
- Oche Distance: Standard PDC oche distance (7ft 9.25in / 2.37m)
What distinguishes Whitlock from other players is his accurate grip and release, which help him score consistently.
What Is Simon Whitlock Doing Now?
As of 2026, Simon Whitlock has retired from the PDC Tour Card but is still an active figure within darts:
- World Series of Darts: Takes part in the Australian and New Zealand Masters tournaments, where he holds records for appearances.
- Seniors’ Circuit: Participates in the World Seniors Darts Championship and other tournaments.
- MODUS Super Series: Regularly participates, appreciating the variety offered by this league.
- Ambassador: Functions as a mentor and role model for upcoming Australian and Oceanic talents, sometimes attending clinics and exhibitions in his home country.
At the end of 2025, he became the winner of the ANZ Premier League, thus earning back the participation in the PDC World Darts Championship.
Simon Whitlock’s Legacy in Professional Darts
Simon Whitlock’s legacy goes well beyond titles and world rankings. Simon is recognized as the most significant Australasian darts player ever, having set the stage for upcoming players from the region like Damon Heta, Ben Robb, and Raymond Smith.
The 2010 World Championship final appearance, 2012 European Championships win, and the 2022 World Cup title have all been career highlights for darts in Australia. Outside of the game, Simon is very popular due to his sportsmanship and fan interaction.
Conclusion
Simon Whitlock’s career exemplifies how talent and determination combined can create an international success story. His first time reaching the world championship final in 2010, European Championship win, and success in the World Cup are some of the achievements that have ensured Whitlock is remembered in the annals of professional darts history. As he nears the end of his career in the sport, Simon Whitlock continues to be a major player in darts.
FAQ’s
Who is Simon Whitlock?
Simon Whitlock is an Australian professional darts player who has played at the highest level in both BDO (British Darts Organisation) and PDC (Professional Darts Corporation).
What is Simon Whitlock’s date of birth?
Simon Whitlock was born on March 3, 1969, in Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia.
What is Simon Whitlock’s walk-on song?
“Down Under” by Men at Work.
Where was Simon Whitlock born?
Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia.
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