Michael van Gerwen suffered a blaming defeat on Monday during the Players Championship in Rosmalen. De Vlijmenaar went down in the first round against the unknown Irishman Michael Flynn. Van Gerwen left an excellent opportunity to claim the title in his own province, because big names such as Luke Littler and Luke Humphries were missing.
The 32-year-old Flynn, who occupied the 574th position in the ranking at the Bond WDF, was 6-4 too strong for the home favorite from Vlijmen. Flynn has never won a Tour card from the PDC.
Social worker
Only on Sunday morning did Frynn hear that he was allowed to participate in Rosmalen, after a number of other darters had canceled. He is in fact eleventh in the Challenge Tour, a list of reserve players for this kind of tournament.
The social worker from Limerick had to rush from the west of Ireland to be at the airport on time. But it was more than worth the journey. “This is a huge moment in my career,” the amateur darter told the BBC.
After the victory over ‘Mvg’ Flynn was eliminated in the second round by the Pool Tytus Kanik.
Klaasen in final
Jelle Klaasen did perform well in his own country. The Breda number 91 of the PDC ranking made the final, in which he lost 8-4 to Chris Dobey. That is the number ten in the world. It was his first final at a PDC tournament in ten years.
In the quarterfinals, Klaasen had won well from the number four in the world ranking, Rob Cross.
Another Players Championship
On Tuesday another Players Championship will take place in Rosmalen.
Players Championships are smaller tournaments of the professional union PDC.