Defending champion Michael van Gerwen suffered a first-round exit at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam on Thursday, losing 6-5 to Daryl Gurney after missing six match darts in a dramatic finish that capped a difficult 2026 season for the Dutch star.
The opening night of the tournament at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam delivered immediate drama when the defending champion fell in the opening round of the 32-man field.
Daryl Gurney Capitalizes on Van Gerwen’s Missed Match Darts
Gurney, who secured a late call-up as a reserve after visa issues forced Philippines players Alexis Toylo and Lourence Ilagan to withdraw from the tournament, quickly seized control. The Northern Irishman raced to a 3-0 lead before Van Gerwen managed to reel off five consecutive legs to put himself on the brink of victory.
The momentum shifted abruptly in the ninth leg when Gurney stopped the run. With Van Gerwen holding a 5-4 advantage, the three-time world champion missed half a dozen match darts, allowing Gurney to level the score at 5-5 and win the decider with the throw despite boos and whistles from the local crowd. Gurney advances to face England’s Ross Smith in the last 16 on Saturday.
Luke Humphries Survives a Scare Against Jermaine Wattimena
The drama on Thursday extended beyond the opening match as top contenders battled through tight contests. World number two Luke Humphries battled past Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena 6-4 in another tense encounter.
After the opening four legs were shared, Humphries broke throw with a spectacular 132 checkout consisting of a bullseye, bullseye, and double 16. However, holding a 5-3 lead, Humphries missed eight match darts before finally getting over the line to set up a second-round meeting with Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Thursday’s Opening Round Results Across the Board
The rest of the Thursday schedule saw mixed fortunes for established names and debutants alike. Dirk van Duijvenbode fought back from a 4-1 deficit to defeat Sweden’s Viktor Tingstrom 6-4, while Ryan Searle threw four 180s on his way to dispatching former world champion Rob Cross 6-2.
Josh Rock secured his advancement by defeating Stephen Bunting 6-5. Meanwhile, Dutch number one Gian van Veen delighted the home fans with a 6-2 triumph over Chris Dobey, and Karel Sedlacek marked his tournament debut by defeating New Zealander Ben Robb 6-4.
Friday Action and Tournament Outlook
The first round concludes on Friday with several major contenders stepping up to the oche. World number one Luke Littler headlines Friday’s slate as he begins his campaign against former UK Open champion Danny Noppert. Littler enters the tournament having recently whitewashed the Dutchman 6-0 on his way to winning the Czech Darts Open, carrying a remarkable record after winning every major title this year.
Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, James Wade, and Nathan Aspinall are also scheduled for action as the tournament moves toward the weekend rounds in Amsterdam.