MARDLE WARNS VAN GERWEN ABSENCE COULD BE A DISASTER
20/02/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN missing Night Three of the Premier League could be a “disaster”, according to ex-pro Wayne Mardle.
World No.4 Van Gerwen was absent due to illness and suffered a –6 leg difference as Luke Littler received an automatic bye into the semi-final at Glasgow.
The Dutchman still sits second in the table and just one point off Jonny Clayton who triumphed at the OVO Hydro.
But Mardle warned that the days of Van Gerwen simply turning up and dominating the league are long gone.
He said: “Premier League darts is not that simple for Michael van Gerwen anymore.
“It was when he used to turn up, finish top, win the actual league seven times and then job done, time to win something else.
“It’s not that simple for him anymore, it really isn’t.
“Who knows, the eight points he has already got in the bag, he may need more. This start may not be enough, he may still come up short.
“He missed out on tonight, which was another two points. He may have another five. Getting the points in the bag is important but missing this, it could be a disaster.
“I just hope Michael is okay for next week.”
‘Mighty Mike’ kicked off his campaign by winning Night One and then underlined his strong start by reaching the final the following week in Antwerp.
MVG is still 50/50 to feature at the Poland Masters this weekend and is set to face either Luke Woodhouse or Carl Sneyd in Saturday’s round two clash in Krakow.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
