VAN GERWEN WILL MISS PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
15/10/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN will MISS the Players Championship Finals for the first time in his career.
‘Mighty Mike’ has withdrawn from the Players Championship 32 in Wigan and has chosen to skip the last three ProTour events.
World No. 3 Van Gerwen is languishing in 93rd position in the Players Championship Order of Merit, with only the top 64 qualifying for the major.
Van Gerwen is set to put family first by spending time with his children amid his separation from his wife of 11 years, Daphne.
He told Darts World: “Everyone knows what has happened and right now, my focus is solely on my children.
“Obviously, the news about myself and their mother affects them 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.”
He added: “I owe it to myself, my management, sponsors and also the fans to only perform when I’m fully focused and can give 100 per cent 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.”
Three-times world champ Van Gerwen was beaten in the opening round of the World Grand Prix and suffered a first-round exit to Dom Taylor in Tuesday’s Players Championship 31.
The Dutchman also pulled out of this weekend’s German Darts Championship – the final European Tour event of the season.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
