Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen has withdrawn from the 2025 Dutch Darts Championship, dealing a blow to home hopes in Rosmalen and gifting Mickey Mansell a free pass to the third round.
In the last hour, The Green Machine has posted the following on his social media platforms:
“It is with great sadness that I inform you that Daphne and I have decided to end our relationship. As a result, I have withdrawn from the upcoming tournaments. I am sorry to disappoint my fans, but I trust that they will understand my decision. We are going through a tough time and ask everyone to respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
The Dutch icon was set to begin his campaign on Saturday evening against the experienced Northern Irishman, but tournament organisers confirmed just hours before the match that Van Gerwen had pulled out due to illness. It’s a sad development for local fans, many of whom had packed the Autotron expecting to see their darting hero in action.
Van Gerwen’s absence not only removes one of the tournament favourites but also hands Mansell a significant stroke of fortune. The Clonoe Cyclone had edged past Mike De Decker in a tight first-round encounter and now progresses without having to throw another dart. It’s the kind of luck you rarely see on the oche – and one that players dream of during the grind of a European Tour weekend.
For Mansell, the road ahead doesn’t get much easier. He now awaits the winner of Ross Smith vs. Raymond van Barneveld – a tie that could go either way. Still, with one less hurdle to leap, the Northern Irishman might just fancy a bit of a run.
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC
