Multiple Players Championship Finals winner Michael van Gerwen will be a notable absentee from the tournament next month.The Dutchman has withdrawn from tomorrow’s Pro Tour event in Wigan along with the European Tour event in Hildesheim and will instead be away on holiday when the final two events of the season take place in a fortnight’s time.
Since 2013, the highly decorated 36-year-old has only missed one PDC ranking TV major – the 2017 UK Open – and, as he is already outside the cut-off positions after deciding to skip the final three qualifying events, he will definitely not feature in Minehead.
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN CAREER STATS: Check out full profile on dartsdatabase
It’s been a difficult year away from the oche for Van Gerwen, following a highly publicised split from his wife Daphne, with whom he shares two children. Now, family is taking top priority.
Speaking exclusively to Darts World, Van Gerwen said:
“Everyone knows what has happened and right now, my focus is solely on my family. Obviously, the news about myself and their mother affects the children enormously, and it’s vital we both continue to provide love and attention no matter what.
“This is a decision that was already in place. I know my fans would like to see me in Minehead, but I assure them I will be back very soon. This has been a tough year and I now need to recharge the batteries ahead of the World Championships.
“I owe it to myself, my management, sponsors and also the fans to only perform when I’m fully focused and can give 100% to the game I love. At this moment, my family are what matter most and they will always be the priority, regardless of anything else.
“Thank you for your continued words of support on social media. I do see them, and it means a lot. At the end of the day, just because we as professional dart players are in the spotlight, we are first and foremost loving parents.”
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Despite Van Gerwen’s absence from the Players Championship Finals, the race to qualify is heating up. With just three events remaining – all in Wigan – it promises to be an exciting climax as players jostle for those all-important Minehead spots.
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