Irish amateur Michael Flynn pulled off a stunning victory against three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen at the Players Championship in Rosmalen, Netherlands.
Flynn, who works in social care in County Limerick, secured a remarkable 6-4 win over the Dutch star after making a last-minute dash to the tournament.
The 32-year-old was only added to the PDC event's entry list on Sunday morning following several withdrawals.
The unexpected opportunity meant Flynn had to make a three-hour car journey from his home in western Ireland to Dublin airport.
Michael van Gerwen was an early casualty at the Players Championship this week
He managed to catch a flight to the Netherlands, arriving just in time for the tournament at the Autotron Centre in Rosmalen.
Flynn, nicknamed 'the Flyer', currently ranks 11th on the Challenge Tour, which serves as a reserve list for Players Championship events.
"MVG wasn't the name you want to see as your first opponent - you'd hope for an easier game," Flynn told 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."
Flynn's victory was particularly impressive given his average of 92.41 compared to Van Gerwen's 97.01.
The match marked Van Gerwen's first appearance in this year's Players Championship, following his runner-up finish to Luke Littler in the 2025 PDC World Championship.
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Despite Van Gerwen's higher scoring average, Flynn demonstrated remarkable composure at crucial moments to secure the victory.
The Irishman's performance showcased his ability to compete at the highest level, despite his amateur status.
Flynn's tournament run came to an end in the next round, where he suffered a 6-4 defeat to Poland's Tytus Kanik.
"When you are playing someone like Van Gerwen you have to tune in from the get-go," Flynn reflected.
"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."
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Michael van Gerwen is a three-time world champion
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The experience left Flynn optimistic about his future prospects on the Challenge Tour.
The tournament concluded with world number 10 Chris Dobey claiming the overall victory, defeating Dutch player Jelle Klaasen 8-4 in the final.
The event in Rosmalen is part of a series of 34 Players Championship tournaments throughout the year.
The competition continues on Tuesday with the second part of the Rosmalen double-header, before the finals are held in Minehead from 21 to 23 November.
