Michael van Gerwen was surprised by Lee Evans in the first round of Players Championship 29. Unlike "Mighty Mike," Gerwyn Price, Dave Chisnall and Rob Cross did make it to the last 64.
Van Gerwen trailed 2-4 and 3-5 against the Englishman and then managed to cut the deficit to 4-5 with a 14-darter. The three-time world champion then recorded good scores in Evans' leg and left double 12 after four innings. However, Evans still managed to win the match 6-4 with a 149 finish.
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Gerwyn Price made it to the second round in Barnsley after a 6-4 victory over Jules van Dongen. Chisnall provided a victory over Krzysztof Kciuk 6-1, averaging over 106.
Rob Cross was a comfortable 6-1 winner over Jeff Smith, Josh Rock prevailed by the same scoreline over Jacques Labre.
Of the top-16 seeded players, Gary Anderson and Jonny Clayton were eliminated in addition to Van Gerwen and Cullen. They went down against Radek Szaganski (6-2) and Madars Razma (6-2), respectively.