PDC World Darts Championship: Michael van Gerwen withdraws from tournament because of Covid-19
- Published
Van Gerwen beat Chas Barstow to reach the third round
Michael van Gerwen has withdrawn from the PDC World Darts Championship after testing positive for Covid-19.
The three-time champion was scheduled to play on Tuesday in a third-round match against Chris Dobey, who will now get a bye into the last 16.
Van Gerwen said he was "really disappointed, confused, angry" about the way his World Championship ended.
He added that he "never expected this outcome as I thought I did everything in my possibility to avoid it".
Welshman Gerwyn Price is the defending champion and, following Van Gerwen's withdrawal, said the tournament had been "devalued".
"I'd rather play the best to be the best, absolutely feel sick for these players having to pull out over Covid," said Price on social media.
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Van Gerwen's fellow Dutch players Raymond van Barneveld and Vincent van der Voort have also tested positive for Covid-19.
Van der Voort was scheduled to play England's James Wade on Monday but pulled out of the tournament after his positive test. Van Barneveld revealed his positive test following a defeat by Rob Cross.