Maik Kuivenhoven showed himself last Thursday during the PDC Summer Series by beating Michael van Gerwen for a second time this season.

The two Dutchman's faced each other in the third round on the second day of the PDC Summer Series. Just like earlier this year, it resulted in a 6-5 win for Kuivenhoven, who then lost to Dave Chisnall in the last sixteen.

With two victories from two meetings agaist Van Gerwen, the 31-year-old Dutchman is one of the few active darts players with a positive record against the world number one. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf asked him if he had found a way to beat the three-time world champion. ''I don't know. Let's hope so. That would be nice'', said Kuivenhoven.

He then praised his illustrious compatriot, who won the PDC Summer Series events on Wednesday and Friday. "Michael van Gerwen is simply a top player, who can do this. Lose once and win a tournament the two days around. That is a super quality.''

Becoming a full-time pro

Unlike Van Gerwen, Kuivenhoven is not yet a full-time professional darts player. He works as a team leader at a company in De Lier for 38 hours a week. Therefore he practices mainly in the evening in his garage.

"It is normally very busy. Outside my work and family, I am really only involved with darts. They are quite flexible at work, in principle I can take time off when necessary. That is well organized'', he said.

Yet he hopes to start working full-time as a darts player. "Financially everything has to be complete. I have a house and a family and it costs a lot of money. Some darters have a monthly income from a sponsor, but I don't. If such an opportunity comes along, I would like to take it.''