Thumbs down for KLM! Andrew Gilding ruled out of Players Championship 15 after flight nightmare

It's not very often that Andrew Gilding misses a Pro Tour event, but at Players Championship 15 in Hildesheim later this Monday afternoon, the former UK Open champion will indeed be absent, although not through choice.

Gilding, who had hoped to be in action this afternoon, has sadly been forced to miss Players Championship 15, following a KLM flight nightmare, as explained by his team on Facebook.

"Due to KLM'S last flight yesterday afternoon being delayed by 2 hours. Andrew would of missed his connecting flight to Hannover," explains the Team Goldfinger Facebook page. "They rebooked him on this morning 9am flight, (but) he will miss playing in today's Players Championship 15 in Hildesheim."

The news is surely extra sour for Gilding given the strong firm he has shown in recent weeks. The experienced Englishman reached the final of the European Darts Grand Prix on the European Tour recently, only being denied the title by a rampant Gary Anderson.

There are still expected to many top pros in action on the Pro Tour this afternoon though, including the aforementioned Anderson, plus the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Dave Chisnall, Joe Cullen, Ryan Searle, Michael Smith, James Wade and Peter Wright.