Danny van Trijp misses UK Open in the aftermath of a car accident from nearly two years ago: "If I had played now, it would ultimately have become a match against myself"

A setback for Danny van Trijp, who has been forced to withdraw from the UK Open. The decision was made after a difficult period in which not only the physical, but especially the mental strain proved too great to continue performing at the highest level.

Van Trijp had qualified for the UK Open by finishing in the top 8 of the Challenge Tour last year. But the 29-year-old Dutchman will not be taking to the stage at Butlin's Minehead. The darter announced the news himself via a post on social media. In it, he explains that it was not an easy choice to skip the tournament. According to him, a player must be fully prepared both physically and mentally to step up to the oche.

“Every darts player knows that you have to be able to give 100 percent not only physically but also mentally at the board. Unfortunately, that’s not possible for me at the moment,” he said.

The situation is entirely linked to a serious car accident he was involved in in September 2024. Although that incident seemed to be behind him for some time, its aftermath still plays a major role. A legal issue has now also arisen in which he is being held responsible for the accident.

“It’s something that has been going on for a very long time and that I’ve been dealing with for months. I hope the end of this month finally brings clarity and that this chapter can be closed,” said the darter.

Due to those circumstances, the UK Open simply came at the wrong time, in his view. The prestigious TV tournament is known for its open format and long playing days, which demand a lot from participants physically and mentally.

Van Trijp emphasizes that his decision has nothing to do with giving up. On the contrary, he wanted to avoid performing below his own standards. “I’m absolutely not someone who gives up, but if I had played now, it would ultimately have become a match against myself,” he explained.

His place in the tournament will now be taken by Scott Campbell, who therefore gets another chance in the event. Van Trijp immediately wished him success in the next round.

Despite the disappointment, the focus remains forward. He explicitly thanked fans and colleagues for the many messages of support he received in recent days. “Thanks everyone for the messages and the support. We’ll just keep going,” he concluded defiantly.

Although his withdrawal is a blow for the tournament, the darter mainly hopes that the ongoing issue will be resolved quickly so that he can then fully focus again on what he loves most: performing at the dartboard.