Darts sensation Gerwyn Price had to pull out of the Flanders Darts Trophy due to an infected hand. The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) confirmed his withdrawal on social media and mentioned that no replacement player would be added to the tournament since it had already commenced when Price withdrew.
As a result of Price’s absence, the scheduled match between Ryan Joyce and Ricardo Pietreczko, who were slated to face Price in the second round, did not take place. Joyce was granted a bye to the third round after a hard-fought 6-5 victory over his German opponent.
Earlier in the week, Price posted a photo of his inflamed hand on social media after a hospital visit. On Friday, he informed his followers that he was not ready to compete in the weekend event in Antwerp. Price expressed gratitude for the supportive messages he received and hoped to recover in time for the upcoming weekend.
Apart from Price, other prominent players like Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, and Gary Anderson also opted out of the tournament. However, Luke Littler, despite undergoing emergency dental treatment, remained in the competition. Littler shared his dental ordeal on social media but remained hopeful of performing well in Belgium.
Littler, a top 16 seed, automatically advanced to the second round. With Price out, Joyce, his intended opponent, progressed directly to the round of 16. Littler’s next challenge is against Dylan Slevin, while the evening session features a match between Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen.
Despite some eliminations, Belgian hopes remain high in Antwerp, with Kim Huybrechts set to face James Wade and other local players advancing in the tournament. The competition showcases darts legends, leading up to the upcoming showdown between Europe and the USA in New York.
In the spirit of celebrating legends, the Ryder Cup has been hailed for creating idols and lasting memories, as quoted by Tom Watson. To delve deeper into this legacy, interested readers can purchase a special edition for £3.50 by clicking the provided link.