Dirk van Duijvenbode will line up at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam after all, following a late withdrawal from Hong Kong's Man Lok Leung due to illness. The Dutchman has been added to the field at the last minute and will now face Swedish thrower Viktor Tingström at AFAS Live.
Leung, 27, was originally slated to meet Tingström in the first round but has been forced to abandon his participation after falling ill. The Hong Kong star will also miss next weekend's final events of the PDC Asian Tour and the PDC Asian Championship, a significant blow to his schedule.
Van Duijvenbode's inclusion comes under rule 3.7 of the PDC regulations, which awards the vacant spot to the first reserve from last month's Tour Card Holder Qualifier. Having topped that reserve list, the 'Aubergenius' receives a late call-up and returns to an event where he has previously come close to glory, having reached the final in 2022. This year, he has also impressed on the big stage by reaching the semi-finals at the World Matchplay.
The tournament runs from September 17-20 at AFAS Live in Amsterdam, with Van Duijvenbode drawing Tingström in the first round. The field is headlined by defending champion Michael van Gerwen and world number one Luke Littler, with world number two Luke Humphries and Dutch number one Gian van Veen also among the standout names. Former winners Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, and James Wade will also be chasing success in the Dutch capital.
