VAN GERWEN UNDER SCRUTINY OVER PUB TRIP WITH TITLE RIVAL

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has come under scrutiny after a night out in an Irish pub with Luke Humphries.

World No.4 Van Gerwen was in Dublin last Thursday for Premier League action, where he reached the semi-finals before losing to Luke Littler. 

But instead of immediately switching focus to the Euro Tour in Wieze, Van Gerwen hit the bars alongside ‘Cool Hand’. 

Just days later, the pair met on the oche in Belgium Open, with Humphries knocking Van Gerwen out at the semi-final stage. 

Former pro Vincent van der Voort questioned the timing of Van Gerwen’s socialising and warned against mixing business with pleasure. 

He told the Darts Draait Door Podcast: “But is it wise? He’s building, it’s a very important year and he’s saying that everywhere. And then you go out.

“Personally, I don’t think it’s very smart, but it’s also not for me. I’d rather go out with my friends than with all those darters.  

“They’re colleagues for a reason. And it’s not like Van Gerwen can never go out, right. But he reached the semi-finals and played well, so you can’t really say anything.” 

But Van der Voort insists there are clear signs the three-time world champ is getting back to his best. 

He added: “His form is definitely coming, but it’s hard work for him. If we carry on like this he’ll be at a really good level in the summer. 

“His absolute top form isn’t there yet, but he is working towards it. It’s the details that could make it easier. 

“Because of that he’s wasting so much energy that it was gone in the semi-final in Wieze.” 

The Dutchman is set to face Luke Humphries once again on Night Eight of the Premier League in Berlin in what promises to be a huge clash. 

Van Gerwen currently sits fifth in the table, just one point adrift of the play-off places, and Van der Voort believes the stakes could not be higher. 

He continued: “That’s a very important match, because with a defeat the gap could already become a bit too big. 

“This one has to be very important for him and he must focus solely on this night. There are no big tournaments afterwards, so this is what it’s about.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.