Darts star Gerwyn Price was forced to withdraw from this weekend’s Flanders Darts Trophy after suffering an infected hand. The PDC confirmed the news on social media, also revealed no replacement would be added to the draw as the tournament had already begun when Price pulled out.
This meant the winner of Ryan Joyce and Ricardo Pietreczko – who had been due to face Price in round two – was handed a bye to the third round. Joyce was the lucky recipient of that bye after a hard-fought 6-5 win against his German opponent.
Earlier in the week, Price had shared a photo of an inflamed hand on social media after being forced to dash to hospital. And on Friday he told fans the weekend tournament in Antwerp had come too soon for him.
“Unfortunately my hand isn’t ready for this weekend, I left it as late as possible to try and give the best chance possible but it wasn’t to be, hopefully will be ready for next weekend,” Price wrote on Instagram. “Thanks for all the messages of support, means a lot.”
Price isn’t the only big name to sit out the tournament, with Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall and Gary Anderson all deciding to give it a miss. Luke Littler is in the draw, though, despite going in for emergency dental treatment in the lead-up.
“In pain for hours and hours, so had to get tooth out,” Littler wrote on social media. “Luckily they were able to do it and sort me out but hopefully it’s all good for Saturday.
“Everyone knows I love Belgium and hopefully I can play my best darts. I’ve never had this done and I don’t know how I’m going to be feeling but right now I am in shock and shaken as I didn’t know what to expect.”
As one of the top 16 seeds, Littler received a bye to the second round. Price had also been among the seeded players, meaning his intended opponent Joyce will go straight into the round of 16.
Standing in Littler’s way is Dylan Slevin, with the match part of an evening session which also includes the all-Dutch match-up of Michael van Gerwen vs Gian van Veen. Slevin set up his match against the world champion by beating local hopeful Francois Schweyen in round one.
Despite Schweyen’s elimination, there is still hope of a Belgian winner in Antwerp. Kim Huybrechts will take on James Wade after beating Lukas Wenig in round one, while Mario Vandenbogaerde got the better of former world champion Michael Smith and Mike De Decker claimed a 6-3 victory over Martin Lukeman.
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