Michael van Gerwen to miss Players Championship Finals amid ProTour withdrawals

Michael van Gerwen will miss the Players Championship Finals for the first time in his career after opting out of the remaining ProTour events.

Van Gerwen is languishing in 93rd position in the Players Championship Order of Merit, and with only the top 64 qualifying for November’s Finals in Minehead, the Dutchman has called time early on his quest to qualify.

The 36-year-old has clinched the Players Championship Finals title on seven occasions, reaching the final in nine of his 16 consecutive appearances, but will be absent from next month’s ranked major at the Butlins Minehead Resort.

The World Series Finals champion, who was beaten in the opening round of the recent World Grand Prix, suffered a first round exit to Dom Taylor in Tuesday’s Players Championship 31 in Wigan.

He was later spotted at Manchester airport before later confirming his withdrawal from the remaining three Players Championship events of the season.

Van Gerwen, who split with his wife Daphne earlier this year, 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 Championship.

“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.”

Van Gerwen has also pulled out of this weekend’s German Darts Championship – the final European Tour event of the season – but is already assured of a place in the upcoming European Championship in Dortmund from October 23-26.