The field for the
European Darts Open, which will be played in Leverkusen from July 10 to 12, has undergone several late changes.
Gary Anderson,
Ryan Searle, and
Gerwyn Price have withdrawn from the Euro Tour event, allowing three players from the reserve list to step in.
Robert Owen, Max Hopp, and Dominik Gruellich take the available spots. Michael Smith, who was first reserve and eligible to enter, chose to decline the invitation. ‘Bully Boy’ had
already announced this himself in an Instagram post. The former world champion is dealing with injuries.
When calling up replacements, the highest-ranked players who lost in the final round of the Tour Card qualifier are considered. After Smith, that list was headed by Owen, Hopp, and Gruellich.
Seeding changes due to withdrawals
The withdrawals also prompted seeding changes. Luke Woodhouse, Damon Heta, and Krzysztof Ratajski have been moved into the seeded bracket and will therefore enter in the second round.
The draw for the
European Darts Open has now been made as well. Owen faces Andrew Gilding in the first round, with the winner to meet Heta in the last 32.
Gruellich has been paired with Kevin Doets. The winner of that tie will face Martin Schindler in the second round. Hopp clashes with Rob Cross, with Krzysztof Ratajski awaiting the winner of that encounter.