Definitely no World Darts Championship for Vincent van der Voort; darter misses qualifying tournament after surgery

Monday is the last chance for Tour Card holders to qualify for the PDC World Darts Championship, but Vincent van der Voort will not travel to Wigan. 'Fast Vinnie' underwent surgery earlier this week and is not fit enough to compete competitively.

Van der Voort had to undergo emergency surgery last Tuesday to remove his appendix. "Sunday I was already suffering quite a bit and Monday it only got worse. I went to the hospital on Tuesday and before I knew it I had to undergo surgery for acute appendicitis," he told to Sportnieuws.nl.

Even then, Van der Voort's chances of being fit in time to compete in the World Championship qualifying tournament were considered slim. "It's in the right side so I can hardly lean to play darts. Saturday I will make the decision whether I will travel or not. If I feel it won't go, I won't try against my better judgment.''

Because of this decision, Van der Voort may never compete in the World Darts Championship again. Next year, "Fast Vinnie" will take a sabbatical. In 2025, Van der Voort will decide whether he will quit for good, or return to the PDC circuit in 2026.

The 48-year-old Dutchman played at a world championship 22 times in the past. In 2005, he reached the quarterfinals at Lakeside. Van der Voort repeated that same performance at the 2011 and 2015 PDC World Championships.

The final spots for the PDC World Darts Championship will be distributed Monday at the qualifying tournament. Around sixty players will participate. In any case there are three places for the tournament at Alexandra Palace. If Gian van Veen succeeds in taking the World Youth title on Sunday night at the expense of Jurjen van der Velde, then there are even four starting places to be divided.