'That’s his own fault, he didn’t perform the rankings reflect that'- Van der Voort tough on Van Gerwen after poor World Series showing

Van Gerwen Slips into the Pack

For years, Michael van Gerwen was the man of the World Series. This year, however, he finds himself only tenth in the standings — leaving him vulnerable to a nightmare draw in Amsterdam.

Van der Voort didn’t mince words: “As it stands, you could get Van Gerwen against Littler in the first round. And that’s his own fault. He skipped events, and where he did play, he didn’t perform. The rankings reflect that.”

But he also saw the upside: “For the fans it’s fantastic. Imagine buying a Friday night ticket and getting Littler v Van Gerwen. That could be the clash of the year.”

Honouring Kyle Anderson

In Australia, the trophy for the Australian Darts Masters was renamed in honour of Kyle Anderson — a move Van der Voort warmly welcomed. “I said last week it would be nice to name something after him. And rightly so. Kyle was hugely loved and important for Australian darts.”

The gesture sparked a wider debate about honouring legends. Van der Voort cautioned: “You have to be careful — otherwise you’ll have more names than trophies. But someone like Raymond van Barneveld certainly deserves something. He changed not just Dutch darts, but the PDC as a whole.”

Van Barneveld: The Turning Point

Van der Voort reflected on the impact of Van Barneveld’s PDC switch in 2006: “Before that, it was Phil Taylor’s game. He won everything. Colin Lloyd and Dennis Priestley picked up the odd title, but it was basically hopeless. Then Raymond came along and showed Taylor was beatable.”

That breakthrough gave belief to a new generation. “Taylor became vulnerable — not only because Raymond beat him, but because others realised it could be done. Then came Anderson, Lewis, Whitlock, King… Without Raymond, the PDC might never have grown so big.”

Dutch Delight in Portsmouth

Beyond the World Series, the MODUS Super Series produced drama in Portsmouth. Dutchman Jimmy van Schie reached the Champions Week final, missing bull for a 126 finish that would have sealed victory before eventually losing 4–3 to Jeff Smith.

Vlottes explained: “He missed on the bull and ended up losing. He must have been gutted. But he should be proud — he made a huge impression.”

Van der Voort praised his countryman’s mentality: “He said he only came to win. He hadn’t even signed up for the Challenge Tour because he was so focused on this. I love that attitude.”

Van der Voort himself had a different experience in Portsmouth, working as a commentator — something he admitted was not to his taste: "It’s so different from being an analyst. You constantly have to talk, make points, switch gears — and in English too. I found it really difficult and not enjoyable. You end up talking more than watching the darts, and that doesn’t suit me.”

The trip itself also left little to savour: “I was in a very sad hotel, with junkies and drifters outside and weed smells everywhere. I think I was stoned for a week without touching anything,” he joked.