Dutch Darts Masters: Michael van Gerwen bounces back from defeat by Luke Littler in World Darts Championship final | News darts
Michael van Gerwen will make his first appearance since losing to Luke Littler in the World Darts Championship final as he defends his title at the Dutch Darts Masters later this month.
Van Gerwen fell short in his quest for a fourth world title when he was beaten 7-3 at Alexandra Palace on January 3 as teenage sensation Littler won the sport’s crown for the first time.
The Dutchman could get a chance for revenge, with Littler and world number one Luke Humphries also set to feature in a star-studded field at the World Darts Championships in ‘s-Hertogenbosch on January 24-25.
Littler and his predecessor as world champion Humphries are back in action Bahrain Masters on Thursday, but Van Gerwen’s return will take place in front of his passionate home support.
The field, which was officially confirmed on Monday, also includes World Cup semi-finalists Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey, while Gerwyn Price, Nathan Aspinall and Rob Cross are the other PDC representatives.
Dutch number two Danny Noppert tops the Benelux representative list, which also includes 2022 winner and reigning UK Open champion Dimitri Van den Bergh.
Dirk van Duijvenbode – runner-up behind Van den Bergh in 2022 – returns to home soil, where he will compete alongside World Youth Champion Gian van Veen.
Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld will look to roll back the years in front of his partisan crowd, while a resurgent Jermaine Wattimena returns to the World Darts Championship.
Elsewhere, Kevin Doets – fresh from his breakthrough to the last 16 at Alexandra Palace – will be in action alongside debutant Richard Veenstra, with world Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker missing the competition due to family commitments.
The Winmau World Masters is followed by the Dutch Masters, after which the 2025 BetMGM Premier League kicks off on Thursday 6 February, live on Sky Sports.
PDC representatives
Luke Humphries (England)
Luke Littler (England)
Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands)
Rob Cross (England)
Stephen Bunting (England)
Gerwyn Price (Wales)
Chris Dobey (England)
Nathan Aspinall (England)
Benelux representatives
Danny Noppert (Netherlands)
Dimitri Van den Bergh (Belgium)
Dirk van Duijvenbode (Netherlands)
Gian van Veen (Netherlands)
Raymond van Barneveld (Netherlands)
Jermaine Wattimena (Netherlands)
Kevin Doets (Netherlands)
Richard Veenstra (Netherlands)
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