‘Blatant cheating’ – Son of darts legend Simon Whitlock rages after Q-School defeat in now-deleted post

The son of darts legend Simon Whitlock vented his frustration on social media after suffering a damaging defeat in Q-School.

Mason Whitlock was taking on Robin Pietsch in last 128 encounter of European Q-School.

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With the chance to earn a PDC Tour Card, Whitlock Junior saw his progress ended as he was thrashed 5-0 by Germany‘s Pietsch.

And the youngster was clearly not pleased with how things turned out, as he made his thoughts clear on his Instagram story afterwards.

In a post that has since been deleted, Whitlock accused his opponent of cheating in the important clash.

He wrote: “I’ve never in my life dealt with more tactics and blatant cheating. Embarrassing tbh.” 

It’s not clear what Pietsch is alleged to have done to make Mason accuse him of cheating.

The damaging defeat means the young Whitlock will now have to wait until next year to have a chance at competing on the PDC Tour.

It brought to an end a solid run at European Q-School for the rising star, who progressed to Day Two of the event, before beating Douwe van Kalkeren and Stevie Moreira to set up his meeting with Pietsch.

Following in his father’s footsteps

Whitlock’s defeat in Q-School comes a month after his dad, Simon, thrilled fans by competing at this year’s PDC World Championship.

The Australian darts great, known for his eye-catching beard and hairstyle, made his return to Alexandra Palace having failed to qualify in 2025.

However, ‘The Wizard’ quickly saw his hopes of glory ended, as he was beaten 3-2 by Conor Scutt in the first round.

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This came a year after he lost his PDC Tour Card at the end of 2024, with Whitlock experiencing a drop-off in form in recent years.

A popular figure among darts fans, the Aussie made it all the way to the final at Ally Pally back in 2010, where he was beaten by Phil Taylor.

He is also a former European Championship winner, and reached the final of the World Grand Prix and the Premier League.

Whitlock also tasted glory at the World Cup of Darts in 2022 alongside compatriot Damon Heta.

Who is Mason Whitlock?

It may not be long before Mason becomes the leading darts player in his own family, with the starlet dreaming big.

Nicknamed ‘The Apprentice’, Mason has starred on the PDC’s Development Tour after making a name for himself on the MODUS Super Series.

This includes hitting a superb nine-dart finish at a Super Series event in Portsmouth in September 2024.

And Whitlock Jr certainly doesn’t lack ambition, having previously outlined his goals for the next few years.

Speaking in March last year, he said: “If I can achieve a third of what he’s achieved in his career, I’d be happy with myself.

“I want to win a Development Tour, win a MODUS and next year, I want to get my Tour Card. That’s my goal.”

Also in Mason’s sights is a Premier League Darts appearance, a competition where his dad has featured on six occasions.

Whitlock Sr reached the final of the event in 2012, before ultimately losing to 16-time world champion Taylor, but has not qualified for the event since 2018.

In the same interview, Mason added: “Once I hone that consistency and start throwing those 90 / 95 plus averages every game, then I could see myself [in the Premier League] in five years!”