Michael van Gerwen will not compete in the play-offs of the Premier League Darts this year. He needed a win against Daryl Gurney, but lost 8-2 to Gurney on the last night of the league phase.
In the past seven years, Van Gerwen has always won the league phase of the
Premier League Darts. He was also in the final of the play-offs seven times, which the Dutchman managed to win five times. But he failed to even make the play-offs in his eighth appearance in this tournament.
With four victories from six matches, Van Gerwen traveled to Milton Keynes at the end of August, where the league phase resumed behind closed doors. The remaining ten rounds resulted in only four wins, a draw and five losses.
Nevertheless, Van Gerwen was able to reach the play-offs with a victory over
Daryl Gurney. However that was out of range on Saturday evening.
The 31-year-old had trouble to find the trebles, missed a lot of doubles and became 6-0 down quickly to Gurney, who was eliminated already.
In the seventh leg, he came on the scoreboard with a 121 finish, avoiding at least a whitewash. Moments later it became 7-2, but the five-time Premier League champion didn't came closer. Gurney produced a 104 finish in the 10th leg to knock Van Gerwen out of the Premier League Darts.
With the defeat of Mighty Mike, Gary Anderson and Peter Wright are now definitively certain of the play-offs. The last place goes to Nathan Aspinall or Gerwyn Price. Aspinall needs at least one point against Glen Durrant to keep The Iceman behind him.
Click here for more information on the 2020 Premier League Darts, including the fixtures and prize money breakdown.
Schedule Premier League Darts
Saturday September 5 Milton Keynes – Marshall Arena
Gerwyn Price (107.70) 8-3 (83.39) Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen (91.74) 2-8 (91.04) Daryl Gurney
Peter Wright v Michael Smith
Nathan Aspinall v Glen Durrant