Michael van Gerwen OUT of Bahrain Masters with shock replacement confirmed as fans say ‘really, in this day and age?’

FANS are shocked Michael van Gerwen has been replaced by Peter Wright at the Bahrain Masters.

Eight players have been selected by the PDC to take on eight stars from the Asian Circuit in Doha next week.

World champion Luke Littler will be among them as well as world No1 Luke Humphries.

But Van Gerwen will not be making an appearance due to family commitments.

A PDC statement read: "Newly crowned World Champion Littler and world number one Humphries will headline the 2025 Bahrain Darts Masters next week, with the 16-player field now finalised.

"Two-time World Champion Peter Wright completes the eight-player PDC line-up, with Dutch superstar Van Gerwen missing out on the event due to family commitments."

World No12 Wright has been called up as his replacement despite an indifferent year on tour.

Wright failed to win a title but did beat Humphries on his way to reaching the World Darts Championship quarter-final.

But some fans feel he is not worthy of a place, arguing Grand Prix winner Mike De Decker was more deserving of a place, particularly after he was left out of the Premier League lineup.

One fan said: "What more should Mike De Decker do to be considered as a pick? Average 140? Throw 3 consecutive 9 darters? The guy is a major winner, at least give him some respect instead of getting Peter Wright in once again…"

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Another added: "Is that Peter Wright I'm seeing? In this day and age?"

And a third wrote: "So De Decker isn't ready for the world series either? Surely he's next in line after the prem players?"