Gerwyn Price Pulls Out of Hungarian Darts Trophy on Medical Grounds: Luke Littler Gets Bye to Semi-Finals
In a dramatic twist on Finals Day at the Hungarian Darts Trophy, Welsh star Gerwyn Price has withdrawn from the tournament due to medical reasons, handing world champion Luke Littler a straight bye into the semi-finals. The sudden decision, announced minutes before their anticipated quarter-final showdown at Budapest’s MVM Dome, robs fans of a blockbuster clash between the No. 2 seed Price and the teenage sensation Littler. With £175,000 on the line—including £30,000 for the winner—the move reshapes the bracket, as the winner of Chris Dobey vs. Danny Noppert now advances directly to face Littler in the first semi-final.
## The Withdrawal: Price’s Last-Minute Exit
Price, the 2021 Hungarian Darts Trophy champion and a perennial PDC heavyweight, had powered through to the quarter-finals with a commanding 6-2 win over Richard Veenstra in Saturday’s evening session. Averaging 95.3 with seven 180s, ‘The Iceman’ looked primed for a deep run, especially after overcoming a hand infection scare in August’s Flanders Darts Trophy that forced a similar early exit. But on Sunday afternoon, with the quarter-final slate underway, PDC officials confirmed Price’s withdrawal citing undisclosed medical grounds—speculation points to a flare-up of ongoing issues, though details remain private.
The official PDC statement, posted on X moments before Dobey and Noppert took to the oche, read: “Gerwyn Price has withdrawn from the Hungarian Darts Trophy due to medical reasons. Luke Littler receives a bye to the semi-finals.” Price, who entered the weekend as a top-five favorite at 8/1 odds, issued a brief statement via the PDC: “Gutted to pull out, but health comes first. Wishing the lads all the best—I’ll be back stronger.” Fans on social media expressed sympathy, with one X user noting: “Pricey battling demons again—get well soon, Iceman. Shame we miss him vs. Nuke.”
This marks the second major withdrawal of Price’s 2025 season on medical grounds, following his Flanders exit where an infected hand required urgent hospital treatment. The 40-year-old, a former world No. 1 with over £2 million in career earnings, has spoken openly about managing chronic conditions like back pain and infections, which have sidelined him intermittently.
## Littler’s Golden Path: Bye to the Semi-Finals
For 18-year-old Luke Littler, the news is a timely boost in his quest for a fourth European Tour title of the year. Already cruising with a 6-1 demolition of Joe Cullen in the second round (averaging 94.5) and a 6-2 third-round rout of Martin Schindler (featuring a tournament-high 112 average and 12 maximums), ‘The Nuke’ now rests until the semi-finals without expending energy on the quarters.
Littler’s afternoon session had been electric: He reeled off five straight legs against Schindler after dropping the opener, sealing it with a 121 checkout on double 16. “Pricey’s a tough matchup—respect to him for pulling out if he’s not right,” Littler said post-match. “I’ll take the bye, but I was ready for it. Now, eyes on the semis.” His path now pits him against the Dobey-Noppert victor—Dobey enters as a slight favorite after a gritty 6-4 win over Cameron Menzies, while Noppert stunned defending champion Michael van Gerwen 6-4 in the third round.
The updated quarter-final bracket reflects the change:
– **Quarter-Final 1**: Chris Dobey vs. Danny Noppert (winner advances to semi vs. Littler)
– **Quarter-Final 2**: James Wade vs. Kim Huybrechts
– **Quarter-Final 3**: Josh Rock vs. Thibault Tricole
– **Quarter-Final 4**: Rob Cross vs. Niko Springer
– **Semi-Final 1**: Littler/bye vs. QF1 winner
– **Semi-Final 2**: QF2 winner vs. QF3 winner
– **Final**: SF1 winner vs. SF2 winner (or QF4 winner if crossover)
The evening session kicks off at 7:00 PM local (6:00 PM BST), with semis and the final to follow in a packed schedule.
## Tournament Context: A Star-Studded Field Marred by Withdrawals
The 2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy, the 12th European Tour event, has already seen early drama: Pre-tournament pullouts from Gary Anderson, Dave Chisnall, and Jonny Clayton opened doors for reserves like Veenstra and Huybrechts. Saturday’s action delivered fireworks, including Luke Humphries’ 6-4 edge over Nathan Aspinall and van Gerwen’s shock third-round exit to Noppert, ending his title defense.
Littler, chasing a third consecutive European Tour win after triumphs in Germany and Austria, remains the overwhelming favorite at 6/4 odds. Humphries (world No. 1) and Rock lurk as threats, but Price’s absence tilts the scales further toward the teenager’s dominance. With the World Grand Prix looming in October (£500,000 pot), this bye could preserve Littler’s form for a deep run.
As the MVM Dome fills for the evening showdown, Price’s withdrawal serves as a sobering reminder of darts’ physical toll. Get well soon, Iceman—Budapest will miss your ice-cold checkouts.
