MICHAEL VAN GERWEN was “taken to the cleaners” as he suffered one of the most “embarrassing and humiliating” defeats of his career at the World Grand Prix.
The three-time World Champion was clean-swept by six successive legs by Daryl Gurney to lose 2-0 in Leicester last night.
MVG, six-time Grand Prix champ, slumped under pressure.
He missed three darts at double three to save his skin.
Gurney then stepped up to checkout 25 with a double eight finish.
And it capped off a woeful night at the oche for the Dutchman.
Sky Sports commentator Rod Studd said: “Daryl Gurney has taken Michael van Gerwen to the cleaners.
“The six-time champion has been dismissed, despatched and destroyed on the big stage.
“One of the most embarrassing and humiliating defeats in Michael van Gerwen’s career and certainly one of the most embarrassing he’s suffered at the World Grand Prix.
“He did not win a leg and Daryl Gurney took him apart to romp through to the second round.”
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Former darts player and top pundit Wayne Mardle blasted MVG’s board management.
Van Gerwen hit a 180 to leave the notoriously awkward double-three finish – which he then missed.
Mardle said: “Well I’m sorry. I don’t care what you want, you’ve got to question the board management.”
Van Gerwen was not the only shock early exit in the Grand Prix this week.
Luke Littler crashed out to close pal Rob Cross on Monday before No2 seed Michael Smith followed him on Tuesday as he was downed by Gary Anderson.
Defending champion Luke Humphries faces Ricardo Pietreczko in round two.
Humphries came from behind to launch a stunning comeback – then hit out at the Leicester crowd for singing football songs.
The Leeds fan moaned: “It was kind of hard with the crowd behind you just chanting football chants all the time.
“Let’s leave football at home, we are at the darts now.
“But I was not going to retaliate because I just cannot be bothered, we are here to play darts.
“I support Leeds, everyone knows that, but let’s leave the football chants at home. We are darts players – not footballers.
“If I’m in a football field and Leeds are playing against whoever and they’re chanting it to me whilst I’m there, then I’ll accept it, love it, and embrace it.
“It’s just constant but it will not impact me and it did not impact me winning that game.”
