Michael van Gerwen beat by ‘unknown’ care employee in one in all darts’ most staggering upsets

Michael van Gerwen was stunned at the Players Championship 3 by an unheard of care worker who had only learned he was playing the day beforehand

Michael van Gerwen was stunned at the Player Championship 3 on Monday.

Mighty Mike was drawn against Irish amateur Michael Flynn in the Netherlands in the first round, only to be sent packing by the care worker. Various report suggest Flynn works was only added to the tournament on Sunday following several withdrawals.

Flynn had to make an unexpected three hour journey to Dublin airport before jetting to the Netherlands to square off against the world championship runner-up.

The Irishman averaged 92.41 – significantly lower than Van Gerwen’s 97.01 – but was still able to beat the former World Champion 6-4 in one of darts’ greatest ever upsets.

“MVG wasn’t the name you want to see as your first opponent – you’d hope for an easier game,” he joked to BBC Sport.

“I knew my form was good coming into the tournament but to beat a three-time world champion is a massive moment in my career!”

Darts fans on social media hailed the “unknown” amateur.

Flynn is currently ranked No.11 in the Challenge Tour standings, which almost acts as a reserve list for Players Championship events.

“When you are playing someone like Van Gerwen you have to tune in from the get-go. It kind of opened my eyes to the professional circuit, the standard you have to be at from the off if you want to get a win,” Flynn added.

“It will give me confidence moving forward and shows me my game is there if I can continue it and take it back to the Challenge Tour.”

Flynn was dumped out in the second round by Tytus Kanik – while Chirs Dobey was the eventual winner on the day. And the world No.10 beat Dutch player Jelle Klassen 8-4 in the final.