Michael Flynn reacts to stunning upset win over Michael van Gerwen at Players Championship 3: "A massive moment in my career"

Michael van Gerwen was making his Pro Tour debut for 2025 at Players Championship 3 in Rosmalen. It didn't end up being a happy return for the Dutchman though, as he was stunned in the opening round by non-PDC Tour Card holder, Michael Flynn.

Flynn, who operates primarily on the Challenge Tour, was called up as a replacement for some of the Tour Card holders that chose not to travel to the Netherlands for the current Players Championship block. "MVG wasn't the name you want to see as your first opponent - you'd hope for an easier game," Flynn told BBC Sport after his sensational win. "I knew my form was good coming into the tournament but to beat a three-time world champion is a massive moment in my career."

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It wasn't like Flynn caught Van Gerwen on a real off-day either. 'MvG' averaged 97.01, but Flynn's timing proved key en route to his 6-4 success. "When you are playing someone like Van Gerwen you have to tune in from the get-go," the Irishman explains. "It kind of opened my eyes to the professional circuit, the standard you have to be at from the off if you want to get a win."

And although Flynn couldn't continue his run, losing out to Tytus Kanik in the second round, the Irishman is understandably looking forward to the future after managing to add a scalp over Van Gerwen to his record. "It will give me confidence moving forward and shows me my game is there if I can continue it and take it back to the Challenge Tour," the Irishman concludes.

Flynn, Van Gerwen and the rest of the PDC Pro Tour will get another shot at glory in Rosmalen later this afternoon as Players Championship 4 takes place in the Netherlands.

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